I can inform the Deputy that a revised General Scheme of a Criminal Procedure Bill was approved by the Government on 9 June 2015 and the Bill is being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
Certain elements of the Bill, together with other improvements to our criminal procedure legislation, have been identified as requiring urgent progression in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic. These elements have now been included in the Civil and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020, the General Scheme of which was approved by Government for priority drafting on 13 July 2020. This Bill is expected to be published in the coming days, subject to Government approval.
Questions Nos. 570 and 571 answered with Question No. 568.