Vol. 428 No. 5
56 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a recent circular which urged gardaí not to charge a suspect for a serious crime until all inquiries into the matter are complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the circular referred to in the question was in relation to advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions to them on the initiation of prosecutions in certain criminal cases. The Director of Public Prosecutions is by statute responsible for the prosecution of criminal offences and prosecutions are initiated by the Garda Síochána acting on his advice. As the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the exercise of his functions, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any advice given by him in relation to the initiation of prosecutions.
