Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans, if any, to bring forward legislative proposals to allow access of digital audio recording of court proceedings for individuals with specific disabilities in order to enable them to prepare a legal defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24800/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the conduct of any case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge.

I can inform the Deputy that relevant Rules of the District Court, Circuit Court and Superior Courts (SI Numbers 99/2013, 100/2013 and 101/2013) came into effect on 8 April 2013. These instruments regulate the procedures whereby parties or other persons wishing to have access to records of court proceedings, including audio recordings, may apply to the court concerned for access to such records. The instruments also set out the terms on which such access may be granted. There is nothing to prevent a party to a case applying to the court to access the recording. However, the granting of access and the terms under which such access is granted is a matter for the court.