Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:1410. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the timeline in relation to the criminal justice review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41045/21]
View answerTuesday, 27 July 2021
Questions (1410)
Written answers
I understand the Deputy's question to refer to the independent review of the Offences against the State Acts.
As the Deputy will be aware, in February last Minister McEntee established a Review Group under the chair of Mr Justice Michael Peart, former Judge of the Court of Appeal.
The group comprises a number of experts in this field and is tasked with examining all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts having regard to the current threat posed by domestic/international terrorism and organised crime, the duty to deliver a fair and effective criminal justice system to ensure the protection of communities and the security of the State and Ireland’s obligations in relation to Constitutional and ECHR rights and international law.
The Chair has indicated to me that there is a considerable body of work involved. Nevertheless I know the review group is conscious of the need to complete its work with as much expedition as is consistent with such a comprehensive task and I am grateful to all the members for their commitment.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Houses recently renewed certain provisions of the Offences against the State legislation for a further 12 months. As I indicated in that debate by that time I expect to have the benefit of the group's final report.