Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Court Prosecutions.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

170 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the number of criminal prosecutions by category which have collapsed or been struck out because of a delay on behalf of the State prosecuting authorities in having the book of evidence ready in each of the past three years; the action, if any, which is taken in the event of such collapsed prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6183/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the relevant agencies — the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief State Solicitor's office and the Garda Síochána — that the information sought is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.