Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

This is a substantial departure from the normal procedure in the sense that if the DPP operates and prosecutes on behalf of the people, the DPP is prosecuting on behalf of nobody other than himself or herself. What is the strength of that prosecution? Given that it does not carry the weight of the people, what weight does it carry? On whose behalf is the DPP prosecuting, other than on his own behalf? It appears that is a weakness in the legislation, considering that it is supposed to embody, in so far as possible, the existing tenets of civil jurisdiction and the civil administration of justice. It seems this is a significant departure in regard to court martial when we are trying to make them as close as possible in terms of the administration of justice within the Defence Forces.

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