Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the Chief State Solicitor's office pursues drink driving convictions in Dublin while superintendents do so in all other Garda divisions; his views on the impact this has on the conviction rate in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4554/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the use of members of the Garda Síochána as prosecutors in the case of drink driving convictions in all Garda divisions other than the Dublin metropolitan region has benefits for the operation and management of prosecutions. Members of the Garda Síochána who have to present the prosecution case in open court and who have to face the rigour of court procedures, judicial supervision and criticism are likely to be diligent in assembling and assessing evidence. In cases where senior Garda officers prosecute, the normal managerial supervision of performance is strengthened when the manager, in his role as prosecutor, has to be comprehensively briefed by the investigating Garda.

I am further informed that it has been tradition, because of demands made in the Dublin metropolitan region, to request the assistance of the chief prosecution solicitor in the prosecution of offences before the Dublin District Courts.