Written answers
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
Sentencing Policy
Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will introduce new criminal law legislation to empower judges to impose significant maximum terms of imprisonment, including whole life terms, for criminals convicted of murder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52046/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The sentence for murder is a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
I have committed to developing legislation to allow judges recommend minimum periods in prison where a life sentence has been handed down.
This would allow a judge, for example, to recommend that a minimum period of 20, 25 or 30 years be served before parole may be granted. I believe that a new provision of this kind will give the public more confidence that, in the most heinous murder cases, the judiciary will have the discretion in their sentencing recommendation to reflect the aggravating factors and gravity of certain cases.
Under these reforms, a minimum custodial term may be recommended by the trial judge, who would have regard to the aggravating and mitigating factors based on the facts and evidence in the particular case.
I intend to bring a detailed to proposal to Cabinet in due course.
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