Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The call from the DPP for a more transparent sentencing policy is welcome. In regard to the actual office and the question in hand, is the Taoiseach taking seriously the Law Society's concerns based on the fact that in 2005 some 37% of cases were not proceeded with, apparently due to lack of resources? Given that the workload is increasing how is it possible to justify in the Estimates a decrease of 1% in overall funding for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions? Its work has increased not only in terms of caseload but in terms of responsibility for the Chief State Solicitor's office transferring from the Office of the Attorney General to the DPP. The DPP's office also has to advise on the extended responsibilities of the Garda ombudsman and the inspectorate. Is there a case for increasing transparency in regard to sentencing policy and how the DPP's office works? I am aware a certain amount of information is available through the Freedom of Information Act. This would enable us to see the reason it needs greater resources than are being provided.

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