Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
80. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Taoiseach what action will be taken to recruit additional staff to the DPP to review cases where a decision needs to be made with regard to progressing to criminal prosecution, for example, road collisions, where an inquest cannot proceed until after the review, particularly in light of the fact that the coronial service, and families affected, have been experiencing significant delays in cases being listed for inquest. [54387/23]
View answerThe Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the performance of her functions in accordance with provisions of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974.
One of the ways effect is given to this independence is that funding for the Director’s Office is provided through a separate Vote; Vote 5 – Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. While I have a role in presenting Estimates for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' Vote to the Oireachtas annually, neither I nor my officials exercise any control in relation to how the Director discharges her functions. In terms of additional staffing, I can confirm that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been provided with funding to further increase their overall staffing allocation by 20 staff in 2024 in response to increased demand-led pressures across the prosecution system.
Any decision to adjourn an inquest is a matter for the Coroner. Adjournments are often granted where there is a criminal investigation/prosecution ongoing into the events leading to the death. This ensures that the integrity of the criminal investigation and the fairness of any subsequent criminal trial is not negatively impacted. If that inquest was not adjourned, publicity arising from evidence heard during the inquest or verdicts reached could prejudice the fair trial rights of an accused. Inquests tend to be adjourned until a criminal investigation and/or prosecution has concluded, that is until after a final determination of a criminal court, a verdict by a jury after a criminal trial or a decision is made not to prosecute.
