Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I thank the Taoiseach for that comprehensive answer. I asked if the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 would be reviewed to ensure that matters of public concern arising from the performance of the DPP's duties are clarified. An amendment to the Act would not be necessary to enable the DPP to make statements of clarification to victims or to the public at large on matters of general public concern.

I am seeking a review of the operation of the Act. It is 30 years since the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was established. It was set up to ensure independence in prosecutions, but there is also a need for accountability and transparency in prosecutorial decisions made by the DPP. Such a need does not exist in Britain, where the Attorney General, who is a Member of Parliament, regularly comes into the House of Commons and answers questions. No mechanism is in place in this country to explore or inform victims of the reason a particular course of action was embarked upon by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In the interests of justice and to combine independence with accountability, I seek to determine whether a mechanism or avenue can be found to obtain clarification when various high profile court cases have controversial outcomes.

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