Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government for proposing legislation to reduce excessive delays to trials and court proceedings. [33801/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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A Criminal Procedure Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The primary aim of the Bill is to reduce delays and increase efficiency and fairness in the criminal trial process. The Bill will in particular provide for new Preliminary Trial Hearings to allow for procedural arguments which arise during trials at present to be dealt with before a jury is empanelled, thereby saving time and allowing juries to focus on the facts of the case.

My officials are working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to progress the Bill.