I welcome our guests and viewers on TG4, who will follow this series of hearings over the next six days as part of our legislative and administrative review of the criminal justice system. I thank TG4 for televising the whole process.
These hearings arise in the context of real public concern at recent developments and questions being asked as to whether there is a need for reform of certain areas of the criminal justice system. On a positive note, the joint committee is acutely conscious of the fact that a large proportion of the system currently in place and the current application of the law of evidence works perfectly well. We are also very alert to the possibility that we could be accused of adopting a knee-jerk reaction to recent events. It is fair to remind ourselves that the criminal justice system deals successfully on a daily basis with a huge number of cases, including those involving organised crime, and it would be disproportionate, because of difficulties in particular cases, to suggest that the system has suddenly collapsed or that the constitutional legal basis of that system has been discredited.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has encouraged every Member of the Dáil to participate actively in a review process involving examination of the adequacy of legislative provisions, resource allocations and administrative practice to see whether and what changes are required and to consult with all appropriate persons and organisations involved in the criminal justice system. However, there are criminal gangs operating in our society, engaging mainly in drug related activities. The Government, Members of the Oireachtas and the people of this country are not prepared to tolerate gangs, drug barons and other criminals. It is essential that we continue to review, reform and examine the issues that lead to gangland crime.
If it is a question of laws, resources and the dedication of the Garda, we must continue to build on the solid base now in place. In the past few years many of the criminals have been taken off our streets and out of circulation. Many of them are in jail serving long sentences. However, we face a new and dangerous problem today. A new breed is arising and taking hold of gangland crime. Many of these ruthless leaders are very young and we must take serious and real action against this new strain of criminal, many of whom are vicious and extraordinarily ruthless.
In parts of Limerick and Dublin enormous efforts have been made by the Garda to deal with criminals, and many have been apprehended. However, there is a deeply evil group of individuals who will stop at nothing to prevent others from giving evidence. There are people who think they are above the law. The good and decent people of this country have had enough of this. We must take action, focus on the problem at hand and create real and concrete solutions.
That is why the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights has decided to conduct a series of hearings to assist the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, in his review. We intend to initiate serious public debate on what reforms are needed in certain areas of the criminal justice system to deal with these gangs who believe they are above the law.
On the subject of recent criminal proceedings, it will be appreciated that we are very limited in what we can say. The Minister has already stated in the Dáil that he has been in close consultation with the Garda Commissioner and the Attorney General and has briefed the Government at length on the events and their implications. We will examine a number of areas of the criminal justice system, with the aim of reforming or introducing specific legislation to deal with the serious problem of gangland crime. In the area of substantial criminal law we will focus on the issue relating to the possible offence of membership of a criminal gang.
The hearings will examine the powers available for investigation into crime. The Garda must be provided with every power possible to deal with these gangs. We will refer to the areas covered in the proposed new criminal justice legislation, including DNA profiling, increased powers of detention and search warrants, among other issues. The area of uncooperative witnesses is of particular relevance to previous well known cases. We will deal with the whole question of protection of witnesses, witness evidence and the protection of jurors.
The issue of admissibility of prior witnesses' statements will be central to the committee's examination. This refers to the use the court can make of a prior witness statement when the witness subsequently refuses to testify at the trial or recants on the statement. The committee will look at other jurisdictions, focusing in particular on the Canadian approach. We will also focus on the area of prosecution appeals. We will discuss issues raised by the Law Reform Commission and by the DPP on this area which suggest that prosecution appeals should represent a real and substantial element in the criminal process.
These are some of the main issues that will be discussed and debated publicly by key players in the area of criminal justice and experts in the field, including academics, legal practitioners and members of the general public. It is essential that these hearings will be conducted in public, and I again thank TG4 for televising the whole process.
In the wider debate we will look at the areas of current best practice in other legal jurisdictions to prevent witness intimidation and secure successful criminal prosecutions, the steps needed to be taken to speed up criminal trials, the possibility of extending the admissibility of video taped interviews as evidence in court, other changes which might be effected in the criminal justice system and how they might impact on the right to a jury trial in accordance with law. Policing, resourcing, operational and administrative issues, the courts system and any other relevant matters will be considered.
I thank in advance everybody involved in the hearings for giving their time and providing their expertise. Following our hearings a report will be presented to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, containing the texts of the relevant submissions together with the recommendations of the committee as to what legislative and-or other changes are necessary to bring about an improvement in the current situation. These hearings are essential, and we must not allow the thugs and the gangsters to subvert the legal process. If we allow this the result is anarchy. We owe it to law-abiding citizens to ensure this does not happen.
We will now commence the hearings, and I shall first briefly explain the format of today's meeting. I am delighted to welcome representatives of Victim Support and the probation and welfare service. We will shortly welcome Dr. Gerard Hogan, a law lecturer in Trinity College Dublin. Each of the groups will be invited to make a brief presentation of approximately six or seven minutes, after which two members of the committee will lead the questioning, which will then be opened up to other members of the committee.
We hope to briefly hold a general discussion at the end, and we must conclude by 11.30 a.m. I first extend a welcome to Ms Ann Meade, the administrator of Victim Support, and Ms Moe Reynolds, the co-ordinator of the Victim Support services. Victim Support is an organisation offering emotional and practical help to all victims of crime through a network of branches throughout the country, as well as through a range of specialist services. I invite Ms Meade to make a short presentation.