asked the Taoiseach with reference to a case (details supplied) why the State was not ready to proceed on 16th June last, when counsel for the Attorney General were briefed; if he is aware of the hardship to accused persons and their families occasioned by delays in proceeding with prosecutions; and what steps will be taken to avoid similar delays in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prosecution Proceedings.
4.
On 16th June, counsel for the prosecution was unable to proceed with the trial of the case referred to because adequately-prepared copies of the depositions were not available to him.
I appreciate that delay in proceeding with prosecutions may occasion hardship to accused persons and their relatives and I am assured by the Attorney General that he takes steps to obviate delay in criminal cases, in so far as it is within his power to do so.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the defence in that particular case, with resources not as great as the State, were in fact ready to proceed on 16th June? If a private individual is able to arrange things to go ahead, does the Taoiseach not think there is an equal obligation on the State to be ready at the same time?
I understand counsel for the State considered he had not the depositions, in proper form, in sufficient time.
Was he not briefed only at the last moment? Was that not the difficulty?
No; it was a matter of the reproduction facilities in the court registrar's office.