Written Answers 137-142
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the statistics show fluctuation in the levels of various crimes reported in County Kildare in each of the past five years to date; if any particular action is planned to address any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5719/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which he and his Department have monitored the levels of break-ins to private households and/or commercial premises in County Kildare; the degree to which the number of such crimes has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5721/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 139 together.
I am advised that all crime trends are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Garda authorities and relevant policing strategies are designed and implemented as required. In this regard local Garda management in Kildare, as in all Garda Divisions, closely monitors the allocation of resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
Insofar as the level of burglary is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that Operation Fiacla was established by the Garda Commissioner to target burglary crime. This is an intelligence driven national operation and specific burglary initiatives have been implemented in each Garda Region to target suspected offenders. Operation Fiacla has proved to be a robust and effective response to those who seek to prey on law abiding householders and this is borne out by the latest Crime Statistics published by the Central Statistics Office covering the 12 month period up to the third quarter of 2013. These show a welcome reduction of 10.4% in burglary and related offences over the previous 12 months, and continue a trend which has been evident since the introduction of Operation Fiacla.
The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the specific relevant statistics sought directly to the Deputy.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in regard to reform of the legal profession; the extent to which negotiation continues with respective interest groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5720/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have previously stated, consultations in relation to the Legal Services Regulation Bill have been ongoing since its publication, both directly and by submission. Moreover, the Bill and key responses to it have previously been considered at Second Stage and in detail by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. Committee Stage of the Bill, which commenced last July, is now coming close to completion with the next session of that Stage scheduled for 12 February 2014.
During Committee Stage, I have continued to receive observations from bodies such as the Law Society, the Dublin Solicitors' Bar Association, the Bar Council and the Honorable Society of King's Inns, from whom I had also received earlier and substantial submissions in relation to this Bill and its key structural reforms. I also continue to receive submissions from other stake-holders who, like the legal professional bodies, have specific observations to make on the detail of the Bill as it progresses through Committee Stage. Direct and indirect contacts with stake-holders will, of course, continue to take place.
A wide range of stake-holders have therefore provided, and continue to submit, views on the Bill. This is something which I continue to encourage and am more than happy to take into consideration, including as the Bill progresses through its remaining Stages. Such views can continue to inform the development of the Legal Services Regulation Bill and will, as always, be considered against the Bill's modern balance of interests between those of the legal professions and those of private and other consumers who avail of legal services.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress being made in respect of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5742/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Spent Convictions Bill; when will it be signed into law and come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5779/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 145 together.
It is my intention that the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 will be enacted and come into operation at the earliest possible date. The Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all Stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and in the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has now been completed and I expect that it will be possible to complete the passage of the Bill in the first half of this year.
141. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide for the inclusion of deaf persons as members of coroners courts juries; if such an exclusion to date has made Ireland de facto in breach of the European disability law specifically in terms of social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, in 2013 the Law Reform Commission published a report on jury service which includes an examination of the selection of individuals for jury service, including persons with hearing disabilities. The Report contains 56 recommendations covering a broad range of issues which are currently being considered in my Department.
While the Law Reform Commission report did not address coronial juries, it would clearly be desirable that, unless specific difficulties would arise, a common approach should be adopted across the range of situations where juries operate. In addition the Deputy will appreciate that it is outside the scope of my official functions to comment on the application of EU legislation in particular cases.
142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will undertake a review of the Coroner's Act 1962 specifically those aspects of the Act which allow members of An Garda Síochána to conduct the empanelling process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Coroners Bill 2007 which is before the Seanad, having been restored to the Order Paper, provides for a comprehensive reform of the law, practice and structures in regard to the coroner service. This includes the manner in which a jury would be selected for an inquest. The Bill is in the course of being reviewed in my Department and in that context all governance and administrative matters in relation to coroners will be examined to determine how reform can be achieved in a cost effective manner.
