Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
395. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of requests for mutual legal assistance made by the State to, and from, other EU member states and non-EU member states; if she will push for the development of an electronic system through which requests can be made at EU Council level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27988/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013, Ireland made 200 requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Of these, 129 were transmitted to other Member States of the EU and 71 to other countries. In the same year, Ireland received 583 requests for assistance, of which 516 were received from within the EU and 67 from outside the EU.
Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, requests may be in writing or in any form capable of producing a written record under conditions allowing their authenticity to be established. In this regard, I am advised that requests are frequently received electronically in the first instance (with the original documents subsequently forwarded by post).
