The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, today said The Government has to think very carefully before attempting changes to important areas of criminal law.
Speaking after receiving an export report into the courts service, Mr McDowell said one such proposed change was the categorisation between minor and serious offences and the constitutional right to a jury trial.
The Minister said he would give immediate consideration to implementing those of the nineteen "recommendations as the Government accepts".
He said that when considering possible changes "one has to recognise that high principles have to be somewhat tempered by a concern for what is practicable and affordable."
According to the Minister, the proposal in the report to hear rape and murder trials in the Circuit Court "was not free from controversy and I look forward to the public debate which it will undoubtedly prompt".
"I believe that when it comes to reviewing criminal law, our aim should be to enhance the fundamental values which have been successful in guaranteeing our civil liberties and not to sacrifice them in the pursuit of governmental narrow self interest", he said.