Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2010
191 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the oversight in the criminal justice system which led to the death of a person (details supplied) on 31 December 2009; and the ongoing risks to the general public if the system remains unchanged. [47286/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe investigation by Judge Michael Reilly, Inspector of Prisons, into the handling of the sentencing, release and post release procedures in the criminal matter that is the subject of the Deputy's Question highlighted a number of very serious failings which took place across four criminal justice agencies following the sentencing in absentia of an individual to a four year term of imprisonment. Several of the failures resulted from human error and others occurred because of the lack of systematic procedures to pick up on these errors when they occurred.
As I outlined to the House on 7 December 2010, I appointed Mr. Pat Folan, a former Director General of the immigration services, to oversee the implementation of the recommendations put forward by Judge Reilly. Significant changes have since been introduced to the system on foot of Judge Reilly's report with the aim of ensuring that the mistakes such as those identified will not reoccur. The progress achieved is detailed in the report of the Implementation Group which has been laid before the Houses and is also available on my Department's website www.justice.iehttp://www.justice.ie/.
The new procedures that are now in place will serve to increase efficiency and effectiveness and enhance the overall accountability requirements on agencies and individual officials, as well as promote the timely sharing of relevant information between the Justice agencies.
