I propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 587, 588, 589, 610, 612, 613 and 615 together.
The right to fair procedures is a central tenet of our criminal justice system. Ireland opted in to the EU Directive on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings and it was subsequently transposed into Irish law. This was done via two Statutory Instruments, one relating to Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings, which relates to the arrangements to be put in place by the Courts Service in respect of the conduct of court proceedings and the second which relates to Interpretation and Translation for Persons in Custody in Garda stations.
Article 5 of the Directive reads that Member States are required to take ‘concrete measures’ to ensure the quality of the interpretation and translation services. A 2018 European Commission report on the implementation of Directive did not flag any issues of concern regarding Ireland’s approach to same and there are no open infringement proceedings underway in this regard. The manner in which these instruments are implemented in practice is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the Courts.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. I cannot intervene in operational Garda matters that fall under the Garda Commissioner’s remit, including the processes by which translation and interpretation services are provided. To be of assistance, I have requested the information sought in this regard from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy further once the information is to hand.
Management of the courts and operational matters, including the management of interpretation services, are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercising of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. To be of assistance, I have referred the questions regarding costs and other operational matters to the Courts Service for direct reply.
