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The Green Party expressed its concern
at the package of over 50 reforms to the criminal justice system
announced by the Tánaiste last night. The Party is concerned at both
at the content of the package and the timing of its introduction to
Dáil Éireann – just three months in advance of a General Election.
Green Party Justice spokesperson
Ciarán Cuffe TD said: "I have a number of serious concerns about
the contents of this package. The removal of the right to silence
for certain crimes is extremely worrying. To undermine such a
fundamental principle of the criminal justice system is of great
concern. Furthermore, holding a suspect in custody for seven days is
already allowed for, but has been proven to be largely ineffective
and leaves suspects vulnerable while they are in custody.
"What we really need to tackle
organised crime is good old fashioned policing. We need effective
evidence-gathering and good relations between the Gardaí and the
communities in which crime is rooted.
"The timing of the announcement is
suspect in the extreme. The Minister for Justice has said that he
expects the bill to be passed into legislation by Easter. Here is
yet another example of McDowell steam-rolling a complicated and
controversial legislative package through the houses of the
Oireachtas without allowing adequate time for debate.
"It is bizarre that Minister
McDowell has announced these measures in his final weeks in
Government, despite his Party having been in power for almost ten
years."
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