§ Mr. Fittasked the Attorney-General (1) if he will make a statement on his authority in relation to the sanctioning of prosecutions already agreed by the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland;
(2) whether it is his duty to sanction prosecutions against members of the Army in Northern Ireland;
(3) whether it is his duty to sanction prosecutions against members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland;
(4) who or what is the final authority on sanctioning prosecutions in Northern Ireland.
The Attorney-GeneralThe Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland has the function of directing whether or not prosecutions should be brought. There is no difference between the Army and the RUC in this respect; they are both subject to the criminal law and to its enforcement process, in the same way as are members of the public. He exercises that function 101W independently, but he is subject to my superintendence and is responsible to me for the performance of his duties. In addition, I am empowered to give him direction. By such a direction I am empowered to direct him to offer no evidence or to enter a nolle prosequi in respect of a prosecution directed by him. In no case have I done so.