Seán Power
Question:60 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has in relation to the law relating to criminal insanity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15358/98]
Written Answers. - Law Reform.
A Bill to amend the law relating to criminal insanity is at present being drafted in the parliamentary draftsman's office. The Bill is a complex one and I expect to be in a position to publish it in the next session.
The Bill will contain extensive provisions dealing with witness to plead at a criminal trial, a definition of criminal insanity and provide for a new verdict of "not guilty by reason of insanity" to replace the present "guilty but insane" verdict; and introduce a new plea of "guilty but with diminished responsibility" in cases of murder. In addition, it will establish a new review body whose function it will be to review the cases of persons detained after verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity or findings of unfitness to plead.