Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The budget of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been dramatically increased over the last number of years. I am not aware of any delays or difficulties other than the normal legal delays. With regard to practical steps for victims, I refer the Deputy to what I said a number of months ago about the Justice for Victims initiative. I am accepting many of the recommendations in the report of the group headed by Gerard Hogan. This report is very substantial and I suggest Members read it. It refers to achieving a balance in the criminal law system with the aim of assisting victims. It is to the credit of this House that as a result of a change in the law in 2007 — although some people abstained and had difficulties with what, in a democracy, could be said to constitute draconian legislation — a very successful conviction was obtained in which a serious criminal was given ten years even though 11 witnesses who made statements in writing at the time of the event recanted their statements or refused to give evidence in court. The judge, because of the change in the law, was able to ignore their change of evidence or their refusal to give evidence in court and to take the written statements into account. He convicted the person, who got ten years and is currently behind bars. Thus, we have taken practical steps in this regard.

A drug strategy is being prepared for 2009-12 and there will be provision for continuing treatment and prevention as well as enforcement. Deputy O'Sullivan raised the issue of treatment for people on drugs. Approximately 8,500 people are currently availing of methadone and other services in this country. There is a substantial response to the difficulties people have. It is incumbent on this House——

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