Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

He speaks of being the meat in the sandwich, but the meat is cut from a very hard neck. I wish to ask the Tánaiste about the product from some of this meat.

Looking at the programme for Government produced in 2002 by the Progressive Democrats, we were to have major reform of criminal law laying down uniform guidelines and principles with regard to punishment of offenders. We were to have a law that would radically overhaul fines, and a nationwide indictable crimes court which would reduce the delay between charging and trial. We were to have new legislative provisions to deal adequately with crimes committed by juveniles, including provisions to update sentencing, rehabilitation and training. We were to have powers for the DPP to appeal against lenient sentences in the District Court. These are just a few of the commitments made in the PD manifesto and reflected in the programme for Government which I noted while sitting here listening to the debate about which we have seen nothing in this House in four years.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has come in and abused other Members but he will not deliver on the issues he has committed to. Instead he goes to his office and issues a press statement. There is an issue of accountability. Today, somebody being investigated with regard to a very serious crime in my constituency has walked away from the investigation because of a technicality. This is not acceptable. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform cannot lecture all those around him, speak of a watershed in the approach to crime, and yet produce a dismal record on relevant commitments made four years ago to tackle some of these issues.

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