Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I accept that and I am glad the point has been raised. I do not want a situation where an individual with 85 previous convictions must give chapter and verse for each of them from memory when filling out a bail application. On the other hand, having three convictions for murder should stick in one's mind.

Regarding subsection (7), there will be an insertion in the 1997 Bail Act, of which section 4(4) provides that if any matter is published in contravention of the provisions of subsection (3), a number of people commit an offence, both summary and on indictment. Section 6(15) of this Bill includes a cross-reference to the Bail Act.

There may be occasions on which witnesses, other than the applicant, are giving evidence in support of the bail application. If, for instance, an individual was to provide the applicant with accommodation, he or she could be examined on what was in the statement, with the leave of a court.

See this speech in context