Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 20, before section 24, but in Part 3, to insert the following new section:

"24.—In this Part—

"Freedom of Information Acts" means the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2003;

"law terms" refers to the four periods (to wit Michaelmas, Hilary, Easter and Trinity) of prescribed sittings for the Superior Courts, as defined in Order 118, rule 1 of the Rules of the Superior Courts;

"the Register" means the Register of Sentences established by section 4;

"the Service" means the body established by the Courts Service Act 1998;

"time already served" means the period of time, prior to conviction, during which the convicted person was detained in custody without bail.".

These amendments restate Fine Gael's position on the register of sentences. Fine Gael seeks to introduce sensible and much needed legislation to improve the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of our criminal justice system. We want to create a comprehensive register of sentences that will detail all sentences handed down in Ireland. It would act as an authoritative and definitive database of sentences, a resource which would assist legal professionals, the Judiciary, legal researchers, policy makers, academics and legislators.

Through the mechanism of such a register, sentencing norms can be assessed and trends easily identified. A register of sentences will introduce greater transparency to the sentencing process within the criminal justice system and allow access to the information for all people, rather than a select number of civil servants.

This is an important measure and is reasonable and straightforward. It represents a simple change in the procedures that would have positive effects. The Government voted down a Fine Gael Private Members' Bill on the issue but the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has an opportunity to change his stance on the matter today.