Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have been arrested, charged or are awaiting trial under either Section 1 or Section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23136/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have been arrested under either Section 1 or Section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935, for each of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006; the number of those who were subsequently convicted under the Act; the number who were subsequently acquitted ; the reason for same; the number against whom a prosecution was not ultimately pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23138/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 209 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being researched. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have been charged under either section 1 or section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935 who will not now be tried under that Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who, having been arrested or charged under either section 1 or section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935, will now have charges against them amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23139/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 210 together.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directs what charges if, any, are to be preferred against a person. As the Deputy will appreciate the DPP is statutorily independent in this function and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

On Thursday, 8 June, I informed the House in the course of the reply to a Parliamentary Question that a Criminal Justice Liaison Group was founded at the end of 2004 and chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. I indicated that the Attorney General's Office had been invited to meetings of the Group. I have since been informed that the only law officer invited to attend meetings of the Group is the Director of Public Prosecutions. My answer was therefore unintentionally misleading in respect of the formal composition of this Group.

For the record, I have been informed by the Secretary General of my Department that the Criminal Justice Liaison Group has representatives from An Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Irish Prison Service, the Courts Service, the Probation and Welfare Service, the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

My Department has a very close working relationship with the Attorney General's Office. I am satisfied that many opportunities exist for discussion between relevant officials in both organisations on issues of mutual concern.