Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the recent criminal case in the UK that collapsed due to a juror using a social media outlet and his plans to ensure this does not occur in this jurisdiction. [16783/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. In the normal course of a trial a judge charges the jury, as he or she considers appropriate, as to its behaviour during the course of the trial and jury deliberations to ensure that no action is taken which could adversely affect the trial. It is a contempt of court, punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a juror, to discuss the case with any person other than another jury member. This restriction would extend to discussion of the case in a social media forum.

In addition, as the Deputy may be aware, the Law Reform Commission is considering the issue of jury service as part of its Third Programme of Law Reform 2008 - 2014. The Commission engaged in a public consultation last year and I look forward to the publication of their final report and recommendations which I understand is likely to be completed in the latter half of this year. The scope of the Law Reform Commission examination extends to consideration of juror misconduct and I will, in due course, consider the matter further in the context of that report.