Charles Flanagan
Question:124 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice the number of petitions before her in respect of judicial decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3270/97]
Written Answers. - Judicial Decisions on Petitions.
There are just in excess of 5,000 petitions awaiting decision in my Department. They are being dealt with in accordance with the criteria indicated in the High Court judgment in the case of Patrick J Brennan v. the Minister of Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General. The judgment indicates that petitions should be granted only in "the rarest of circumstances" or "exceptional cases". I will be issuing new guidelines shortly which will assist both members of the public and public representatives to ascertain whether there is a case for a petition to be considered. It should be noted that in opening a petition since the Geoghegan judgment, all petitioners are informed that the judgment will be taken into account and that a petition does not prejudice the powers of the Garda Síochána.