Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The proposal in regard to the establishment of an inter-agency unit to progress the investigation is not mine, it is the Minister's own, from a speech he gave on a Private Members' motion in 2009. At that stage, he suggested this would be a way to proceed.

The sharing of files and the submission of files to the DPP has been under way for some time. My concern in tabling this question was that, while I understand the DPP is independent, the DPP said that some witnesses have yet to be interviewed.

The Minister's remarks on the paucity of legislation are fair enough. However, in making those remarks, he then praises his publication of the Criminal Justice Bill, which was prepared by the then Minister, Mr. Dermot Ahern, before Deputy Shatter came into office. While we will certainly facilitate its passage, I have certain questions. How much of that Bill will be retrospective? In asking the Minister to apply his legal mind to this, is there a danger that cases we may bring, or charges that may be brought under the provisions of the new Bill, will be ruled out of order by the authorities in the context of the investigation, thus further delaying it? The Minister said on 12 March, two days after coming into office, that he was seeking a report from various authorities in this regard. Has he made any judgment call, from considering that report, as to when we will be in a position to begin prosecutions?

See this speech in context