Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I received Deputy Rabbitte's letter on this matter and I contacted the Attorney General's office on Thursday or Friday. A reply should be on its way to the Deputy. I looked at the letter carefully and its core point is that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform can direct the registrar of the Special Criminal Court to release the transcripts of that court prepared for an appeal where the appeal is still pending. I was told, subject to confirmation in writing so this may change and I ask the Deputy to forgive me if it does, that notwithstanding the fact that the Special Criminal Court's function is now spent, the judicial process as a whole is not spent given that appeals are pending. The Attorney General's office advises me that the National Archives Act does not bestow a power on the Minister to authorise the transfer of transcripts of the Special Criminal Court prepared for appeal to the National Archives when the appeal is pending for administrative reasons. I have asked the office to ensure that is the position.

See this speech in context