John Bruton
Question:11 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he has received the report of the public prosecution system study group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17754/99]
Written Answers. - Public Prosecution System.
John Bruton
Question:12 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the administrative and staffing changes likely to arise in the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief State Solicitor arising from the publication of the Victims' Charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17755/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:13 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the changes envisaged in the operations of the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief State Solicitor arising from the report of the public prosecution systems study group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17762/99]
Jim Higgins
Question:14 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Taoiseach the steps, if any, which will be taken to bring about greater co-ordination and cohesion between the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief State Solicitor in view of recent comments by the former Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19561/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, together.
The report of the public prosecution system study group has been considered by Government and presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government has accepted the study group's key conclusion and recommendation that the present prosecution system should not be replaced by a unified system but should be enhanced to improve co-ordination and effectiveness.
The study group addressed the issue of greater cohesion in the criminal justice system. Among the recommendations in the report are the transfer of responsibility for the criminal division of the CSSO and the State Solicitor service to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Government has accepted this in principle and implementation will be agreed by the Minister for Finance and the Attorney General. The report also contained a number of recommendations designed to improve the information and communication capabilities of the system and these will take place over time.
I welcome the Victims' Charter which was recently published by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In relation to the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief State Solicitor, the charter reflects the practice of these Offices for many years. The charter will have the effect of formalising this practice and will generally make the public more aware of the services provided. This may involve an increase in the demand for such services and any resulting staffing and administrative issues will be addressed as the need arises.