209. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering reforming the role of peace commissioners here in view of the fact that the current legislation governing their role is old, namely, the Courts of Justice Act 1924; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that although peace commissioners continue to have powers to issue warrants, under a small number of statutes, several decisions by the courts regarding the issuing of summonses and warrants were subject to a number of legal challenges in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and decisions of the superior courts raised serious doubts about the constitutional competence of peace commissioners to exercise such powers, thus limiting the role of peace commissioner and transferring their more onerous tasks to the courts; his views on completely overhauling the handbook and guidance manual explaining their role and duties to ensure information is updated in line with current legislation, and in view of the fact that the current handbook given to new peace commissioners is out of line with current documents that require the signature of a peace commissioner; the contents of the review that was initiated in early 2008 on the status and functions of peace commissioners; if any recommendations in the review were ever acted upon; the discussions that have been held in his Department on the future of this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35688/13]

Summary

209. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering reforming the role of peace commissioners here in view of the fact that the current legislation governing their role is old, namely, the Courts of Justice Act 1924; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that although peace commissioners continue to have powers to issue warrants, under a small number of statutes, several decisions by the courts regarding the issuing of summonses and warrants were subject to a number of legal challenges in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and decisions of the superior courts raised serious doubts about the constitutional competence of peace commissioners to exercise such powers, thus limiting the role of peace commissioner and transferring their more onerous tasks to the courts; his views on completely overhauling the handbook and guidance manual explaining their role and duties to ensure information is updated in line with current legislation, and in view of the fact that the current handbook given to new peace commissioners is out of line with current documents that require the signature of a peace commissioner; the contents of the review that was initiated in early 2008 on the status and functions of peace commissioners; if any recommendations in the review were ever acted upon; the discussions that have been held in his Department on the future of this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35688/13]

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• Peace Commissioners

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