James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action that has been taken to date to implement the recommendations made in the 2007 Report on Restorative Justice by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27329/07]

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 provides that a cross-sectoral working group should be created to develop a national strategy that is based on international best practice.

The National Commission on Restorative Justice is composed on this basis, with a representative of the Judiciary chairing the Commission on a full-time basis. The members come from An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service, the Courts Service, the Director of Public Prosecution's office and from the business community. Dr Mary Henry, a former member of the Seanad is also a member of the Commission.

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 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, an issue I have prioritised since taking up office.

The Commission recently commenced its deliberations and I look forward to receiving an interim report in the coming months.