Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other Members of the House in congratulating the former Senator, Pádraig Ó Céidigh, for starting and bringing forward this legislation, which has gone through the other House with amendments, which are now before us.

I would like to ask the Minister of State about some of the issues that were mentioned by Senator Martin. I agree with the Senator that perjury is already there. The courts knew and know that perjury is committed in lots of cases. How come action has not been taken before now?

According to amendment No. 23, on page 4, the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, must bring forward a case. I am sure somebody must bring a case to the attention of the DPP so that it can proceed. Where does responsibility lie? When the courts know that perjury has been committed, who must bring a case to the attention of the DPP? Who forwards a case to the DPP? Is a reporting mechanism in place? Does responsibility lie with ordinary citizens to bring a case to the attention of the DPP? Do they have to go to their own legal people? Do they have to go to the cost of bringing a case so that the DPP can be contacted?

During the recession, a great deal of blame was put on the banks because it seemed like the four walls of each bank made the decisions. Nobody seemed to have responsibility and nobody knew who made the decisions. Who will bring perjury cases to the attention of the DPP? All of those who go before the courts, like the officers of the courts, know that perjury takes place. Who reports or brings perjury to the attention of the DPP so that the DPP can take the action that is set out in the various sections that have been brought in by the Dáil?