Last night's "Prime Time" programme was shocking in a number of respects. It reflected how our District Court system is in something of a state of chaos, particularly as regards the striking out of cases due to summonses not being served as well as the over-reliance on the poor box. The inconsistencies and discrepancies in sentencing and the approaches taken by judges were trends. In the context of that programme and what was revealed, will the Government consider the Sinn Féin Bill on a sentencing council to provide clear sentencing guidelines? Alternatively, will the Minister for Justice and Equality consider favourably an amendment to the Judicial Council Bill 2017 to put in place such a sentencing council with sentencing guidelines?

I acknowledge the separation of powers and the fact that the matter of sentencing is exclusively one for the courts and the Judiciary. However, I wish to advise the House that I recently met the President of the District Court and the Attorney General.

I acknowledge certain pressures on the District Court system, which, by and large, has remained unreformed since the 1920s. I am looking at a number of options in terms of a review of the District Court jurisdiction and the form of the District Court so that there are certain structures within the District Court that ensure the confidence of the people in what is effectively the court of first instance, which deals with hundreds of thousands of our citizens annually. I take seriously the outcomes of last night's RTÉ programme and will advise the House accordingly in the new year of options available to me in terms of review.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Sin deireadh le ceisteanna ar reachtaíocht atá geallta. Ba mhaith liom mo leithscéal a ghabháil do na deichniúr nár shroicheamar iad.