Vol. 462 No. 2
178 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the reason the report of the probation officer recommended a non-custodial sentence in the trial (details supplied) in which two persons were convicted in relation to heroin distribution; and the appropriate authority or procedure, if any, to inquire into the recommendations made by the probation officer in this case. [4147/96]
Probation officers prepare reports at the court's request. The officer is answerable to the court in respect of reports prepared in individual cases and the Minister for Justice has no function in this regard. I understand that probation officers' reports are presented by the court to all parties and that the officer who prepared the report may be subject to cross examination under oath in court by both the prosecution and the defence.
