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Dáil Éireann - Volume 322 - 25 June, 1980 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Jury Verdicts. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating 1909 6. Mr. Keating asked the Minister for Justice if he proposes to introduce legislation in relation to the acceptance [1909] of majority verdicts in criminal cases where agreement is reached by ten jurors. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: I have explained to the House on more than one occasion that I could not undertake to indicate, by way of reply to parliamentary questions, what specific legislative proposals I might have in a particular area. This question however differs from others concerning possible legislative changes in that it relates to a specific undertaking given in the pre-election manifesto. Accordingly, without departing from the principle that I cannot undertake to announce specific legislative proposals until they are ready for publication, I am prepared to confirm that the Deputy need have no reason to fear that this undertaking will not be honoured during the lifetime of this Parliament. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating Mr. Keating: I do not know if the Minister knows any more than I do about the lifetime of the Dáil. I do not for a moment wish to associate this party with any support for the proposal when it comes before us. Why has it taken three years to get out of the Minister a bland assurance that we will have the necessary legislation to implement point 4 of the manifesto on this issue under the heading “Justice”? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: If the Deputy does not appreciate that the policy outlined on behalf of my party in the pre-election manifesto was a programme of work to fulfil in five years, then somebody on his own side should try and explain to him that his party came into Government—— Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: Will the Minister stand on his own two feet? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The Minister should be allowed to reply. (Interruptions.) Mr. Quinn Mr. Quinn 1910 Mr. Quinn: Has the Minister the heads of a Bill in relation to proposed [1910] legislation and have they been approved by the Government? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: As of now I have not heads of a Bill but I would like to assure the Deputy and the House that quite a lot of work has been undertaken already in this area. I am sure the Deputy probably appreciates that when one has the heads of a Bill one has 90 per cent of the work done. Mr. Quinn Mr. Quinn Mr. Quinn: In view of the fact the Minister is proud of the work done to date, when does he think he might have the heads of the Bill? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: I suggest that if the Deputy tables that question for me the first day of next term I will be in a better position to answer it for him. I cannot give him the answer now. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No. 7. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating Mr. Keating: Would the Minister be as precise as possible in indicating to us at what stage the proposed legislation is at at the moment? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: I cannot give the Deputy that information. If the Deputy knows anything at all about the work that goes into the drafting of a Bill—— Mr. Keating Mr. Keating Mr. Keating: Will the Minister tell us? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: I will tell the Deputy. If the Deputy will ask some of his colleagues who were in Government they will be able to tell him. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating Mr. Keating: I asked the Minister at what stage the legislation is? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: It is not my job to educate Deputy Keating on what is required in relation to the drafting of a Bill. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating Mr. Keating: I am learning very fast from the Minister. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: I have already called Question No. 7. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte 1911 [1911] Mr. Harte: Does the Minister also have to talk down? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Deputy Harte should remain silent. (Interruptions.) Mr. Quinn Mr. Quinn Mr. Quinn: We would be satisfied if the Minister looked after his Department. Dáil Éireann 322 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Jury Verdicts. Questions 19800625
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