Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Public Accounts Committee
Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2014
Vote 21: Prisons
Vote 24: Department of Justice and Equality
Chapter 9: Development of Prison Accommodation in Dublin
10:00 am
Mr. Jimmy Martin:
To avoid any misconception, the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 clearly states that burglary of a domestic dwelling should be considered a serious offence. That is on the basis of the dwelling having a particular constitutional protection so burglary of a dwelling will be perceived as a much more serious offence than burglary of a building other than a dwelling. We hope this gives some guidance to the Judiciary when it is considering bail in individual cases but it is still a matter for it to decide.