Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has ruled out the possibility that the removal of the double jeopardy principle in law could be applied retrospectively.
The long-standing double jeopardy rule - which prevents people being re-tried for an offence for which they have already been acquitted - is being curtailed under the new Criminal Procedures Bill 2009.
Speaking this morning, Mr Ahern said the matter had been raised by some families of people affected by the issue.
"The whole issue is that you can only convict somebody or charge somebody based on criminal law at that particular time," he said. "You cannot retrospectively use a law passed subsequent to an event to charge somebody."
Mr Ahern said he hoped the Bill would get a reasonably speedy passage through the Oireachtas, although he noted that it was a complex piece of legislation and raised serious issues in relation to criminal law.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of two websites aimed at supporting victims of crime.
The Victims of Crime Office and the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime websites were unveiled at the second meeting of Victims of Crime Consultative Forum in Dublin today.
The website of the Commission, an independent body that provides funding for services and supports to victims of crime, includes links to organisations that provide help to victims.
The Victims of Crime Office is designed to improve continuity and quality of services for victims of crime provided by State agencies and non-governmental organisations throughout Ireland.
Mr Ahern said he had been criticised publically for cutting funding in some areas under the Department's remit, but said he had not cut back on policing crime or supporting victims.
He praised the voluntary sector organisations for their work in supporting victims of crime, and called on them to work together. "You must deliver together in cooperation a competent, caring and efficient service to victims of crime," he said. "This calls for a sharing of your experience and your skills."
