Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I join the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in his remarks. Among the pieces of legislation available to the prosecuting authorities is section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997, which deals specifically with impeding the prosecution of someone guilty of an offence. How many such prosecutions have been brought under that legislation since 1997?

One of the few other options is the common law charge of perverting or obstructing the course of justice. How many prosecutions have been brought through this which deal with the concealing of information on the matter of sexual abuse?

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