Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

It is important that there is consistency in sentencing policy. In my experience, court reports of what occurred in court and the sentences imposed are often incomplete. In many cases, where sentences appear to be inconsistent they are different because of the background circumstances in a particular case. I discovered that when one goes into this in more detail, frequently there is less inconsistency than may have appeared on the surface.

However, it is important to have consistency. Funding is made available to the Judiciary for continuing judicial training, an area in which it can address issues of consistency in sentencing. This is an issue in respect of which, as Minister, I cannot interfere because of the independence of the Judiciary but I believe it is important to maintain public respect for our court system and our criminal justice system, that sentencing should be consistent and when sentences are imposed explanations should be given regarding the nature of those sentences in order that they can be fully understood.

See this speech in context