Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The second part of a documentary on Frank Shortt on RTE last night showed how the Morris tribunal exposed perjury by two detectives in this case. Will the Leader refer the matter to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform? Perjury is a criminal offence but when are people prosecuted for it? Truth in the Dáil is essential to democracy, and in the courts and tribunals to the administration of justice. One often hears of cases being referred from the civil court to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Numerous affidavits are sworn on oath yet there was only one example of proceedings concerning perjury in 2004 and again in 2005, four in 2006 and two in 2007. There was one successful prosecution for perjury in 2004 and one in 2007. Those figures indicate that even if someone lies through his or her teeth there is no fear of prosecution. This is an important issue. It appears that this crime is not viewed seriously and the Minister should reflect on and review it. I ask the Leader to organise a debate here and for the Minister to address the issue specifically.