Vol. 496 No. 3
389 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the operation of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997, in respect of reducing the time gardaí spend in court; the specific Garda stations to which these provisions apply; when they will be extended to all stations in view of ongoing staffing difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22934/98]
I am assuming the Deputy is referring to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997. This section allows gardaí, in respect of arrests other than those executed under a warrant, to give evidence by certificate of certain procedural matters, including evidence relating to arrest, charge and caution with the purpose of relieving them from the obligation of attending in person in court to give such evidence orally. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that section 6 currently operates in all Garda districts outside the Dublin metropolitan area and the following Dublin metropolitan districts: Store Street, in relation to Dublin District Court; "A" (Kevin Street), "L" (Ballyfermot) and "Q" (Lucan) Districts, in relation to Kilmainham District Court, and "N" (Bray) District, in relation to Bray District Court. At present, the Garda authorities have no plans to expand its use pending a review. It is too early to evaluate the effects that the legislation —including section 6 — is having on the amount of time that gardaí spend in court.
