Vol. 453 No. 3
157 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice, in view of her response to Parliamentary Question No. 3, nominated for priority on 11 May 1995, if she will indicate that of the cases in 1994/1995 in which an offer of partial mitigation of fines was made to petitioners the exceptional circumstances that merited the mitigation of those fines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9420/95]
In my reply to Question No. 3 on 11 May, 1995, I informed the Deputy that each case was considered on its merits and such reports as were deemed necessary to assist in consideration of the petitions were sought from various sources. All these were dealt with prior to the judgment of the High Court.
As the Deputy is aware, it has been long-established practice not to comment at Question Time on individual petitions and as all these petitions were dealt with in accordance with this practice I do not propose to comment on this occasion. I am currently examining the High Court judgment and any changes in procedures will be announced in due course.
