Rónán Mullen (Independent)

My colleagues have referred to the comments of Mr. Justice Carney before the Law Society in University College Cork yesterday. It is important that we soon have a debate in the House on the direction the criminal justice system is taking. We heard yesterday about the climate of fear and intimidation in some prisons because we take a short-sighted, punishment only attitude to criminal justice that will not protect the community in the long term. Mr. Justice Carney has, rightly, pointed to the other side of the coin in how the abuse of the victim impact statement can damage the delicate balance that must be preserved in the presumption of innocence. In debating this issue we must also debate the need for officialdom, specifically the Courts Service, to be proactive in dealing with victims and their families in a humane way. The event that led to Mr. Justice Carney's comments may not have happened had we a system in place under which victims and families were fully informed of court proceedings. They should be kept up to date regarding when cases will come before court and informed of the rules of court. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions should explain proceedings in order that shock can be avoided, as well as events such as those referred to by the judge.