I had hoped to speak to the Taoiseach but he had to leave. Following up on an issue I raised with the Taoiseach on 27 January last, it appears that a lot of forensic psychiatrists in Ireland do not want to get involved in cases involving the killing of family members by loved ones. It appears to be related to calls for a review of processes and the whole uncertainty around that. This was reflected at a recent Central Criminal Court hearing where Mr. Justice Paul McDermott said there were serious deficiencies in obtaining consultant psychiatric reports, and repeated delays in seeking appropriate forensic experts, leading to situations where families were forced to return to court over a dozen times because the State could not appoint a suitable forensic specialist.

He said this was completely unacceptable and I am sure the Minister would agree. Will he also agree to write or get the Taoiseach to write to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions asking if it has a formal review mechanism for examining the processes by which forensic psychiatric opinions are compiled, whether consideration has been given to establishing clearer standards or oversight structures and to seek clarity as to whether the DPP is satisfied international best practice is being implemented in these situations?

I do not have the facts or background on the particular matter relating to forensic psychiatrists but I will ask the Taoiseach and his office to respond comprehensively to the Deputy. I know he raised the importance of this matter and the comments of the judge in the past month with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, in the context of forensic psychiatry. There is a Department of justice context as well. I will ask them to respond comprehensively to the Deputy.