Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last night's "Prime Time" programme was shocking in a number of respects. It reflected how our District Court system is in something of a state of chaos, particularly as regards the striking out of cases due to summonses not being served as well as the over-reliance on the poor box. The inconsistencies and discrepancies in sentencing and the approaches taken by judges were trends. In the context of that programme and what was revealed, will the Government consider the Sinn Féin Bill on a sentencing council to provide clear sentencing guidelines? Alternatively, will the Minister for Justice and Equality consider favourably an amendment to the Judicial Council Bill 2017 to put in place such a sentencing council with sentencing guidelines?

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