28th September 2003                                                  

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE LEGISLATION GRANTING OIREACHTAS MEMBERS IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION

Green Party Justice spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD, has called on the Government to examine the loophole which has been used by an Oireachtas member to claim immunity from prosecution.

Deputy Cuffe said today,  "This legislation allows TDs and Senators to claim immunity from prosecution if they can prove that they were travelling in the course of their Oireachtas duties.  The immunity legislation was successfully used by Fianna Fáil Senator, Sean McCarthy thirteen years ago. GV Wright has correctly signalled his intention not to avail of the immunity clause.  I am calling on the Government to re-examine the clause and tighten up the legislation to ensure that it cannot be used to avoid prosecution if a TD or Senator has broken the law."

ENDS/