Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

——possibility of being cross-examined. The existing legislation does not exclude cross-examination and it makes it a condition of the use of this material that the child is available for cross-examination. There is a public misconception that somehow children would be spared the duty of being cross-examined if the defence elected, if we would only introduce a video system.

A committee that was established by my predecessor as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has drawn up good practice guidelines covering a number of areas. The committee made a number of recommendations, including recommendations that sufficient suitable facilities should be available for video recording evidential interviews, and there should be a joint national programme in place for training interviewers, which should be regularly reviewed. In tandem with this, there will be a national training programme for all professionals who are likely to have reference to the guidelines.

I attach the highest importance to the setting up of these facilities. The Secretary General of my Department and the director general of the National Children's Office have taken a personal interest in ensuring this is done as soon as possible. Officials from my Department are actively working on setting up these facilities in conjunction with the Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Office of Public Works. My Department plans to have a network of suitable facilities available to the Garda Síochána to video record evidential interviews established at a number of locations throughout the country early in 2007.

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