Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date in meeting the commitment in the programme for Government 2007 to establish a judicial sentencing commission; the timescale of same; the budget provided for the commission; and if it is his intention to make statutory provision for this body. [17675/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, each member of the judiciary is independent in the matter of sentencing as they are in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions. The Courts Service Board established a Steering Committee to plan for and provide information on sentencing. The Committee, under the chair of Mrs. Susan Denham of the Supreme Court, comprises a judge from the High, Circuit and District Courts and a university lecturer with expertise in sentencing law.

This project, known as the Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS), involves the provision of a computerised information system on sentences and other penalties imposed for criminal offences. The system will enable a judge, by entering relevant criteria, to access information about the range of sentences and penalties imposed for various types of offences in previous cases. This will assist any judge when considering the sentence to be imposed in an individual case.

The system has been piloted in several court jurisdictions, including Dublin, Cork and Limerick Circuit Criminal Courts; the Dublin District Court and the Court of Criminal Appeal. The outcomes will be reviewed and assessed by judges prior to the final evaluation and establishment of a web-based system.