Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister accept the number of serious crimes committed by people on bail is a major problem? The most recent figures available suggest these total more than 5,000 per year. The 2004 figures were 5,300 and the latest figures I have are for 2005 which saw an increase to 5,600.

I note the minor changes proposed by the Minister. Does he agree more radical changes should be made to our system to cope with this serious problem? Should the Director of Public Prosecutions be able to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against the grant of bail? At present, the Director of Public Prosecutionsd can appeal to the Supreme Court. However, as the Minister knows, that is a rarefied body which is difficult to access.

Does the Minister accept a case can be made for extending considerably the provision whereby bail can only be granted by the High Court in serious drugs or firearms cases? At present, the only provisions which require granting of bail by the High Court are murder, piracy, genocide and treason. A person in a serious drug or firearm case should not be able to walk into the District Court and be granted bail. The matter should automatically go to the High Court.

Does the Minister have views on the use or availability of electronic tagging where someone is released on bail? Does he accept that in circumstances where someone is convicted of a serious offence and it is clear a custodial sentence will be applied, the issue of whether that person is released on bail should be separately argued before the judge? What often happens is such a person is automatically released on continuous bail pending a sentencing hearing that may not take place for six or nine months. Does the Minister agree there is scope for change in that situation?

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