Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Government promised as part of its legislative programme, reflecting commitments in the Progressive Democrats and the Fianna Fáil manifestos, that as part of a general reform of the court systems there would be reform of the various court elements through new legislation to reduce the delay between charging and trial. Today we read there are up to 5,000 drink driving cases at risk of being dismissed because of delays in the court system and delays in bringing forward those cases for trial. Surely this indicates an extraordinary lack of urgency in delivering what was promised five years ago in respect of reforming the way the courts address the delay between charging and trial.

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