Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

If that is the case, will the Minister give the House an indication of the breakdown between scheduled and non-scheduled offences before the Special Criminal Court? My information is that the Special Criminal Court has moved from its proper jurisdiction, away from scheduled political-type offences, towards normal, criminal offences that should normally be heard before jury courts. However, it is easier to use the Special Criminal Court, and because the Director of Public Prosecutions has sole discretion to refer non-scheduled offences to it, he takes the easy option. As Members are aware, the DPP is not obliged to explain his actions. It is strange.

I do not have time to make all my intended points. Almost seven years have passed since this legislation was introduced. Last year, the Minister indicated — I notice there is a reference to this point in the legislation this year — that once the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 had been passed, he would be in a position to consider the legislation pertaining to the special courts. He intended to bring proposals before the Government last year. Will a proper review of the legislation take place as proposed under the Good Friday Agreement? Will proposals be brought to the Government now that the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act is in place to deal with international terrorism? Next time around, can Members expect a different motion from the Government on this issue?

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