Questions

590. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Further to PQ64808/26 and PQ64809/26 of 16 September 2026, in which the Minister stated that officials have been asked to examine whether the confidentiality provisions of the International Protection Acts 2015 and 2026 can be clarified or amended, the date on which that examination was commissioned; its terms of reference; whether any…

876. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 403 and 404 of 16 July 2026, the details of which the ongoing review comprises in relation to the interaction between the confidentiality provisions and public confidence in the reporting of criminal proceedings, including whether any paper, submission or assessment has been prepared on that speci…

877. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 403 and 404 of 16 July 2026, whether consideration has been given, at either official or ministerial level, to introducing an amendment to section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015 or section 278 of the International Protection Act 2026; to provide for an exception to the prohibition on …

307. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will publish the advice that he has received in relation to the constitutionality of the ban of a use of counselling notes in a criminal trial as evidence; if the rights of complainants were considered in a balance with the rights to a fair trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53925/26]

27. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will confirm whether the proposed reforms will create a presumption of non-disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual offence trials; the legal test that will apply before any such records can be disclosed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49374/26]

66. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of legislative provisions to restrict the disclosure of counselling notes in rape and sexual offence trials; the expected timeline for enactment and commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49371/26]

8. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration considering the rights of victims and survivors of sexual offences, if he will consider a ban on the use of counselling records as evidence in criminal trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35579/26]

15. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider changes in legislation in relation to the use of character references in sentencing hearings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35581/26]

1336. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); the actions he will take to address the concerns outlined in relation to the use of counselling notes in criminal trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19928/26]

828. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he agrees with the recommendation of report commissioned by him called An Assessment of the Efficacy of Bail Laws in Ireland which states that "the responsibility for the prosecution of offences should be removed from the Gardaí and all future Court proceedings should be conducted by legal professionals" (details supplied); his…

567. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there are requirements in law in relation to the competence of those providing Irish Sign Language interpretation for courts and public bodies but no such requirements in law in relation to the provision of other interpretation and translation in legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73680/25]

267. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following approval of the Rules of Court for the District and Circuit Court by the relevant Committees, if he has approved the updated rules (details supplied); if not, the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70719/25]

81. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he can provide an update on changes in respect of bail recommended by a person (details supplied) in the report commissioned by the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68448/25]

1273. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Gardaí or Courts Service have an in-house translation and interpretation function; the number of times a year the services of a translator or interpreter have been availed of in criminal investigations and court proceedings according to most recently available data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58267/25]

680. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of files referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding individuals involved in the disorder in Dublin city centre on 23 November 2023. [51352/25]

242. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when he expects the newly appointed senior counsel to examine the conditions under which a repeat offender may be granted bail while awaiting trial. [31090/25]

1134. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if he will honour former Justice Minister Helen McEntee’s plans for a ban on the use of private counselling notes being used as evidence in cases of sexual violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11546/25]

1193. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice the court fees waived for on-trade liquor licences 2014 to 2024, in tabular form. [12258/25]

689. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when the assessment system will be in place and operable as provided for under the Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024, which provides a mechanism to hold the State accountable for unreasonable delays to court proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8003/25]