Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We understand and appreciate the work that has been done and that many of the courts are doing their best in difficult circumstances. I agree with the Minister, however, that a greater level of new technology needs to be brought into play, particularly video links between the courts and the prisons and so on to try to resolve many of these issues whereby people are going for short sittings, which basically get the nod and go back again. All this can be done remotely and using technology if possible, but an awful lot of our courts around the country do not have that technology in place, and that investment needs to be put in place as quickly as possible. Apart from that, because of the large backlog that has built up, there will be a necessity to have more cases dealt with more quickly and the time allocated and the number of sittings per month may need to be expanded. The Minister will have to see what resources will be needed to do that. The argument has often been made that justice delayed is justice denied, and certainly some people would make that argument very strongly from an accused's perspective. The level of attention that this needs has to be brought to bear on it, and the Minister needs to ensure there will be adequate resources to pay the additional staff because it will take many additional staff to do this.

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