The analysis notes the superficiality of much of the public discussion and debate on criminal justice issues and criticizes the shortsightedness of political and legislative responses, which often focus on rapid action rather than thorough study. The discussion also argues that appropriate processes are strongly substantive as well as procedural and that a focus on process is not the antithesis of a fair result. It concludes that the Irish judiciary has a commitment to a series of principles that underlie the criminal justice system and that guarantee fair procedure. In contrast, recent law reforms such as the admission of victim impact statements at sentencing represent a reactive legislative response to public opinion aroused by perceived crises or events in the media. These developments may have started to dismantle the longstanding and carefully developed balance between the individual and the government. Instead of such approaches, the country needs to ensure that any changes in its criminal justice system rest on principled reflection. Reference notes