Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if additional resources will be required for the Special Criminal Court's soon to be extended remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26741/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 which I published yesterday provides that organised crime offences will be scheduled offences for the purpose of the Offences Against the State Act. This means they will be tried in the Special Criminal Court unless the DPP directs otherwise.

It is not possible to predict the number of additional trials as this will be a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions. As the Deputy will be aware, the judges currently assigned to the Special Criminal Court from the District, Circuit and High Courts are not assigned on a full time basis. They are available to sit, and do sit, in ordinary courts as allocated by the respective Presidents of the Courts. Once the legislation is enacted, I will request the Courts Service to monitor its effect on the court's business and report to my Department if any additional resources are required.