David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on the amount of Garda time and resources lost in travelling to and attending court hearings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35463/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that a considerable amount of Garda time will always have to be devoted to court duties. In that context, however, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner, who is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, that specific measures have been put in place to minimise the extent to which Garda members are required to attend in court. This is an area that is kept under on-going review. I would also draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that legislative measures have been adopted to save Garda time by permitting certain evidence to be presented to a court by way of certificate. The operation of the relevant statutory provisions is of course subject to the requirements of justice and judicial supervision.