Vol. 577 No. 3
511 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has considered the proposals put forward by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for improvements to the criminal justice system, including extra judicial appointments to the Central Criminal Court, longer sittings and so on; if he will propose to Government the adoption of such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30828/03]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the views set out by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the hearings being conducted by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights in the context of its examination of the criminal justice system. I dealt with some of the same issues in my submission to the joint committee. For example, I made reference to the fact that I am providing for the possibility of a prosecution appeal on a point of law, as mentioned by the director, in the forthcoming Criminal Justice Bill and I also explained that I am actively considering the possibility of making the prior statements of witnesses admissible in evidence. While I am positively disposed towards a number of other legislative reforms raised by the director, including reform of the law of contempt and perjury, I will await the recommendations of the joint committee before finalising my views.
