Cowen pressed on judge's comments

Tánaiste Brian Cowen refused to be drawn on Mr Justice Paul Carney's remarks on victim impact procedures.

Mr Cowen said that, as he understood it, legislative change was not being advocated in respect of the Cork lecture.

"The subject of the lecture was the issue of procedures within the court system. Such procedures are, in all circumstances, a matter for the courts. We should maintain the separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary as regards the internal workings of the courts."

The Tánaiste was replying, on the Order of Business, to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who said his party long held the view that victims of crime should be given full information in respect of cases as they proceeded.

"In the light of the comments of Mr Justice Carney in respect of a particular case, will the Tánaiste indicate if any legislative change is envisaged in order to ensure that the victims of crime will be kept fully apprised of the progress of cases? As the Tánaiste is aware, in the case of a number of sexual abuse cases, victims were informed by their abusers that those cases might not proceed to court or that the DPP might not be taking them forward.

"Has the Government decided to react to Mr Justice Carney's comments by instigating a legislative change which would ensure that victims will be kept fully apprised of the facts relating to cases as they proceed?"