Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
834. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if she will publish an up-to-date list of peace commissioners that have been appointed in the past year; if she will confirm the total number currently serving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48191/23]
View answerIn line with the provisions of section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924, Peace Commissioners are appointed, and may be removed from that appointment, by me in my capacity as Minister for Justice. My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and, while every effort is made to keep the Roll up to date, the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground. This is because the Department currently relies on Peace Commissioners themselves, and other interested parties, to update it with regard to changes in circumstances of individual Peace Commissioners since their appointment. It is, therefore, difficult to provide precise information on the total number currently serving; however, I can inform the Deputy that my Department is currently updating the Roll of Peace Commissioners and, in line with the Justice Plan 2023, has commenced a review of the Peace Commissioner appointment process in its entirety. Consideration is also being given to making the Roll of Peace Commissioners available online.
I have asked my officials to contact the Deputy directly to provide him with a list of the Peace Commissioners that have been appointed in the past year; however, at this point, I can confirm that in the region of 90 individuals have been appointed as Peace Commissioners since 1 November 2022.
