Vol. 430 No. 2
130 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she proposes to introduce legislation to amend procedures in criminal cases and to change the rules of evidence in regard to criminal cases; and if so, if she will give details.
134 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to introduce legislation to provide penalties for the use of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in public and disorderly conduct generally; and if so, when she expects to introduce this legislation.
136 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to introduce legislation to implement changes in criminal procedure recommended by the Inter-departmental Group on the Administration of Justice, and by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
139 Ms. Shortall asked the Minister for Justice whether she intends to introduce legislation to tackle the problem of intimidatory loitering; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 134, 136 and 139 together.
Preparation of a Criminal Justice Bill which contains measures in relation to the matters referred to in the questions is being accorded priority in my Department at present. When proposals are finalised they will be announced in due course in the normal way.
131 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to introduce legislation to change the Law of Evidence in regard to criminal matters to allow for the admissibility of computerised evidence, the giving of evidence by spouses of accused persons, and evidence by children in child abuse cases.
The matters referred to by the Deputy are already provided for in the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992, and I have no proposals to further amend the law of evidence in these specific areas.
