THE Taoiseach declined to give an immediate response to Judge Catherine McGuinness's decision to put back a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court to a later date, before a new jury, following the publication of photographs in The Irish Times and the Star.
Mr Brian Lenihan (FF, Dublin West) asked Mr Bruton if the Government had any proposals to reform the law relating to contempt of court in accordance with the Law Reform Commission report.
Mr Bruton said he would wish to study the matter with some care. There was a proposal for courts legislation which would come before the House in the first half of the year. But that was mainly to do with organisational matters affecting the courts.
"I will investigate what the deputy has said. I think it is an issue of some concern, but I would not wish to be drawn into a premature comment without study."