Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances and considerations that led to the pending trial of a person (details supplied); if this person's extradition for the offence was sought by the Irish authorities; if not, the reason therefor; the person by whom any relevant decision was made; if the exercise by the English courts of extraterritorial jurisdiction in respect of a murder allegedly committed in this State has any modern precedent; the nature and extent of any co-operation being provided to the English prosecution authorities in relation to the presentation of their case; if assistance will be provided to the family of the victim in this case to meet the additional costs of attending the trial occasioned by the fact that it is taking place abroad; if consular or other assistance will be available to the family during the course of the trial; if the Government, or the Garda Síochána will have observers or other representatives at the trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy asks several questions related to a pending prosecution in the United Kingdom arising from the discovery of a woman's body in Dublin in 2003. The Deputy will be aware that as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no function in regard to prosecutions taken in the United Kingdom and therefore cannot comment on the circumstances which led to the prosecution being taken.

Whether the person's extradition from the United Kingdom was requested is not a matter for me. Under the system which existed at the time this was a matter for the Garda Commissioner in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions, in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Extradition Act 1965.

Since the offence occurred in this jurisdiction, the UK authorities requested assistance in providing certain evidence which had been gathered here. This request has been complied with.

Assistance to the family of the victim to attend the trial in the United Kingdom is also outside the remit of my Department.