The Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated he intends to set up a unit within his office later this year to give reasons for his decisions not to prosecute in some cases.
James Hamilton said if legislation permits, and staff are trained, he hoped his decisions could be communicated by letter or in person.
Speaking after the 9th Annual Prosecutors’ Conference in Dublin, he said he hoped his decision would ensure greater confidence in the criminal justice system.
The DPP has been consulting with victims groups, the legal profession, civil liberties groups and others since January to review the decades-long policy of not explaining his office's decisions not to prosecute.
Today he said he hoped to make his final report by the end of July and move after that to staff and train a unit to communicate with victims and their families in a limited category of cases.
However, he said the process would not begin until it is clarified whether communications from his office are protected under existing legislation on qualified privilege, or if further legislation would be required.
