Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 5

Written Answers. - Petition Procedure.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

66 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Justice when she will respond to the recent High Court case regarding the petition procedure; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that petitions submitted prior to the court case and which remain open in her Department are now the subject of execution by the Gardaí prior to a decision being given by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1642/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I indicated at a meeting of the Select Committee on Legislation and Security on 9 June 1995, that I will be happy to come back to the committee when I have formulated a coherent policy in this area. I have not yet completed this work.

The execution of court warrants is a matter for the Garda Síochána and I understand that there has been no change in the treatment of warrants in respect of penalties under petition.