Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Studies.

Ivor Callely

Question:

82 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the total number of studies undertaken by her Department or by an agency under the aegis of her Department; the number of matters that she or the Minister(s) of State at her Department have referred for study/report/review to an expert group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4392/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

In answering this question, I am not including material about the review of legislation, schemes etc. undertaken on all aspects of my Department's responsibilities which form part of the work of my Department's staff.

The following is the position in relation to more formalised reviews, studies, reports etc. by Inter-departmental committees, working groups, etc., which were initiated by me or the Ministers of State at my Department.

1. Working Group on a Courts Commission.

2. "Violence at Lansdowne Road". A report submitted by the former Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Thomas Finlay on violence which occured during a soccer match at Lansdowne Road.

3. Working group to examine incidents of:

(a) assaults on Dublin Bus drivers.

(b) robberies/larcenies from Dublin Bus drivers, and

(c) malicious damage to Dublin Bus vehicles.

4. Inter-departmental Group on Air Support for the Garda Síochána set up to determine how best to provide the Garda Síochána with the most effective air support.

5. A study to determine the effect on the demand for prison places arising from possible changes in the law on bail.

6. An Interdepartmental Committee on the Castlerea Prison Project.