I propose to take Questions Nos. 1291, 1293, 1294 and 1295 together.
As the Minister of State may be aware, the decision to strike out a matter before the Courts is for the Presiding Judge, who must be satisfied as to the reason being proferred for such an application. These applications can be made both by the prosecution and defence.
I am advised by the Courts Service that the Courts Service system does not record the reason a case was struck out unless the Judge includes the reason in their order and, for this reason, the Courts Service therefore cannot provide the information sought by the Minister of State.
The Minister of State may wish to note that An Garda Síochána are currently carrying out a review of the striking out of cases specifically relating to the offence of ‘holding a mobile phone while driving’ over the 12 month period from January 2017 to December 2017. An analysis of cases will illustrate the reasons for such applications by members of An Garda Síochána. While the review will examine the strike outs of ‘holding a mobile phone while driving’ offences, the findings of the review will capture learning that will be applicable across the summons process end to end.