asked the Minister for Justice if he will amend the Prosecution of Offences Act, 1974, to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to make an annual report to the Houses of the Oireachtas in connection with the function of his office; the execution of his duties and his consultations with the Attorney General; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Prosecution of Offences Act.
20.
The purpose of the Prosecution of Offences Act, 1974, was to create a prosecuting authority who would be, and would be seen to be, independent. The proposal contained in the question would bring the prosecuting process into the political arena in a way that would be undesirable. I am advised also that the proposal would conflict with and undermine the director's independence in the exercise of his functions as authorised in accordance with Article 30 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, the proposed annual reports of the director would presumably be debated by the Houses of the Oireachtas. This could lead to injustice to citizens whose conduct might be, even by implication, the subject-matter of such a report and debate thereon but who, by reason of parliamentary privilege, would have no redress.