Mr. Barry Donoghue:

Some parts of it are new but others are not. That a victim can seek a review of a decision not to prosecute is a long-standing practice of our office, going back many years. A victim has always had the right to seek a review. What this has done is make it clear to victims in every case. I will explain the process briefly. When we issue a direction to the Garda stating we will not prosecute a case we enclose a short form to be given to the victim that allows him or her to ask for reasons and, ultimately, to seek a review. There is a process in place to ensure victims in every case know of their rights to seek-----