Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Notwithstanding what the Minister said about the independence of the Courts Service and the Judiciary, there is still a difficulty that he and his colleagues should address. The will of this House, as enshrined in legislation, is not being acted upon. What steps does he propose to take to ensure the will of this House is acted upon and followed through? While I am not a fan of mandatory sentencing, there are serious crimes, particularly related to drugs, where we need to ensure stringent and strict penalties are brought to bear. Does the Minister regard it as satisfactory that of a total 260 cases under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the past three years, 40 have involved convictions and carried the mandatory sentence we, as legislators, have pressed on the legislation? Has the Minister met members of the Judiciary and the president of the courts? Would he consider it beneficial and useful to meet the president of the courts to see what impediment allows the courts in many circumstances to go against the will of this House as enshrined in legislation?

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