Vol. 467 No. 2
29 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to increase the maximum aggregate term of imprisonment which can be imposed by the District Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12897/96]
I have no proposals at present for changes in the law in relation to any increase in the maximum aggregate term of imprisonment which may be imposed by the District Court.
Generally the maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed by the District Court for any offence is one year. However, in certain circumstances the District Court may impose consecutive sentences where the aggregate term does not exceed two years. The limitations on the sentencing jurisdiction of the District Court reflect the fact that the court is one of summary jurisdiction and there are constitutional constraints on the extent of the penalties which it may impose.
