Vol. 473 No. 6
75 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Justice whether the Director of Public Prosecutions is accountable in respect of the estreatment of bail moneys; if she is satisfied that this function is adequately discharged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2148/97]
As the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent body and is not under the aegis of my Department. In the vast majority of cases the question of estreatment of bail arises at District Court level. In such cases the applications are required to be taken in the name of the relevant garda superintendent and the Director of Public Prosecutions is not consulted.
In estreatment applications taken in the name of the Director of Public Prosecutions in other criminal courts the bail moneys estreated are lodged to the relevant court. Accountability for the handling of such moneys does not, therefore, rest with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
