Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does the Taoiseach accept the thrust of Deputy Rabbitte's question, that there should be a dedicated legal policy unit within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions? Arising from that, is it the Taoiseach's view that there are weaknesses in the criminal justice system. I welcome the fact that the DPP has spoken out in a number of areas. I especially welcome his description of sentencing by judges as being like a lottery and the suggestion that perhaps, in appropriate cases, explanations should be given by members of the Bench as to the reasons for their range of sentences. A range of those tariffs should be set down by the Oireachtas and, respecting the independence of the Judiciary, a sentence given either above or below that range would, at the same time, require him or her to give an explanation in that regard.

Does the Taoiseach accept there are weaknesses in the system at present? Does he believe that the setting up of a specific policy unit within the DPP's office would be helpful? Does he share the DPP's view that it would be appropriate for judges in these circumstances to explain their sentences, which has been put forward by Fine Gael for some time, much to the amusement of some Fianna Fáil Ministers?

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