Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I wish to make a further brief comment. As I noted, I certainly intend to consult those at the coalface in representing people before the District Court and ask that the Minister's office does the same. While I am conscious that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is at the coalface, it only represents the prosecution and Members must also be conscious of the right of the defence. Moreover, as a final point, it strikes me that there also is a victims' rights aspects to this issue. Forty-two days is a significant period for victims to wait and if the consequence of this section is to prolong the pre-trial period generally, it will have a highly adverse impact on victims. Any research I have undertaken on victims' rights on any of the literature suggests delays in the process cause concern to victims. The Minister also is anxious to deal with this issue. Members must be cautious about proceeding with such a significant change without considering all the consequences and consulting other groups beyond the Director of Public Prosecutions alone. I certainly intend to do so before Report Stage.