Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 752: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of court presenters who have been appointed within the Garda Síochána; the way this scheme operates; the regularity with which it is used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31406/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Currently Garda court presenters operate in District Courts in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (except Balbriggan). The number of court presenters is outlined in the following table.

On a defendant's first appearance in court, a sergeant who is assigned the role of court presenter tenders evidence of arrest, charge and caution, and subsequently deals with each appearance in the case up to, but not including, the final hearing date. An exception is made for probationer Gardaí, who are required to attend court to deal with their own first ten cases in order to obtain court experience.

Gardaí are of course required to attend court when requested, but where possible every case is dealt with by the court presenter up to the final hearing. In the event of the defendant pleading guilty the court presenter can deal with this case by giving a précis of evidence to the Court and apprising the Court of any previous convictions. If the defendant pleads not guilty then the member in charge of the case will appear in Court on the assigned date for hearing to prosecute the case.

Outside of the Dublin Metropolitan Region all criminal cases, whether by summons or charge sheet, are currently presented in the District Court by the local Superintendent or an Inspector acting on his or her behalf.