Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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488. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the review of the Special Criminal Court; the date that the final report is expected to be submitted; and the schedule of costs to date. [61726/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, in 2021 an expert group was established to carry out an independent review of the Offences Against the State Acts.

The Review Group is chaired by Mr Justice Michael Peart, former Judge of the Court of Appeal, and is tasked with examining all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts having regard to the current threat posed by domestic/international terrorism and organised crime, the duty to deliver a fair and effective criminal justice system to ensure the protection of communities and the security of the State and Ireland’s obligations in relation to Constitutional and ECHR rights and international law.

The Terms of Reference for the Review Group also included a requirement that the review be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders, statutory agencies and civil society organisations.

The Deputy will appreciate that the Review Group is independent in the performance of its work. I am however informed that the Review Group has, as part of its consultation process, had significant engagement with relevant stakeholders, statutory agencies and civil society organisations, including human rights organisations. My Department provides the secretariat to the Group. I understand that the Group has met on approximately 40 occasions to date, including stakeholder meetings. Expenditure associated with the Group's work to date is €94,985.

I expect to receive the final report of the Review Group in the first quarter of 2023.