Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 18:

In page 40, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:

“Amendment of section 181 of Criminal Justice Act 2006

63. Section 181(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 is amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (c):“(c) in relation to proceedings before the Central Criminal Court, to a judge of the Court of Appeal,”.”.

The purpose of section 181 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 was to provide for anonymity for witnesses with a medical condition who might be reluctant to come forward and give evidence because in giving such evidence they might have to reveal their medical condition. If the application for anonymity is refused by the Central Criminal Court or the court of appeal, provision is currently made for an appeal from that refusal to be made to the Supreme Court. The effect of the amendment will be to direct such applications to the court of appeal.

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