I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
The mechanism suggested in the recent Sunday newspaper article was one of a number of recommendations contained in a 1987 Report of the Select Committee on Crime, Lawlessness and Vandalism. The suggestion was that, under section 2 (6) of the Prosecution of Offences Act, 1974, the Attorney General could be consulted by the Director of Public Prosecutions relevant to his decisions in certain cases for the purpose of establishing whether the decision was arrived at in accordance with the proper legal criteria. The recommendation was not implemented at the time because it was the considered view of the Director of Public Prosecutions, after reflection, and of the then Government that it would interfere with the independence of the Director and bring such matters into the political arena.
I have again consulted both the Attorney General and the Director on the matter and they are strongly of the view that such a mechanism would not be a good idea, for these same reasons.