Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he supports the recommendations of the committee on restorative justice in its report of January 2007; and his proposals to implement those recommendations. [22420/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Following on from the publication of the report on restorative justice by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights in January 2007, the National Commission on Restorative Justice was established in March 2007.

Recommendation 5 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee suggested that a cross-sectoral working group should be created to develop a national strategy for restorative justice that is based on international best practice. The National Commission on Restorative Justice has been established on this basis, with a member of the judiciary appointed to chair the Commission on a full-time basis. The membership of the Commission includes representatives of An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service, the Courts Service, the Director of Public Prosecution's office and two independent members.

The terms of reference of the Commission are wide-ranging. They require the Commission to examine both national and international practice in the area, to consider the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, to consider what model or models of restorative justice might be appropriate to Irish circumstances and to issue a final report on these and on other matters by the end of 2008. The Commission recently commenced its deliberations and I look forward to receiving an interim report in the coming months.

The restorative justice process seeks to address the fall-out from criminal behaviour by making the offenders more directly accountable for their actions and by giving a greater voice to victims of crime. This is an issue I have prioritised since taking up office and I await the Commission's deliberations with interest.