Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of her Department’s examination of the feasibility of a new public defender system. [18654/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to examine the feasibility of a new Public Defender system.

I can inform the Deputy that a number of steps have been taken by my Department to give effect to this commitment. In particular, the Departmentis reviewing previous reports in the matter and is examining the position in other jurisdictions. Preliminary consultations have been held with relevant State agencies and the advices of the Attorney General in the matter have been sought. Examination of the feasibility of such a system is ongoing.