Criminal procedure Bill
Micheál Martin raised the criminal procedure Bill and concerns about delays in criminal trials, urging progress on promised legislation. The Taoiseach said the Bill is at drafting stage and the Minister would update the House in coming weeks.
Yes, it is also the Order of Business.
Comment on this
On the criminal procedure Bill, a large number of murders and serious crimes have been committed in recent weeks, and while we cannot discuss them specifically, there are issues arising from them to which we as an Oireachtas probably need to give further consideration in due course. There are still numerous complaints about delays in trial hearings and in criminal cases. The Council of Europe has raised concerns about delays in criminal cases in Ireland, and there seems to be a consistent delay in tackling this issue. There is a commitment in the programme for Government proposing legislation to reduce excessive delays to trials and court proceedings, including pre-trial hearings. Revised heads of a Bill were approved in June of 2015 and pre-legislative scrutiny of it has been completed. Will the Taoiseach confirm when the criminal procedure Bill will be passed through this House?
Comment on this
That is one of a number of Bills in the criminal justice area that have been raised by Deputy Martin. It has been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny, following which further work has had to be undertaken in conjunction with the Attorney General. It is at drafting stage. We will be in a position to advise the House in the next few weeks as to an exact timeframe but the issues are the subject of drafting in my Department.