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

I strongly urge support for electronic tagging. I have examined documentation since our earlier discussion on this issue, which states electronic tagging works in other countries and it is cost effective. An early release programme, which uses such tagging, is provided for in previous legislation. If I had the option of being held in custody pending trial or being released on bail with a tag, I would prefer the latter. That would not be a diminution of one's civil liberties. On the contrary, electronic schemes have worked in other countries. In the UK, 80% compliance has been achieved with the terms of the tagging while almost 90% has been achieved in Sweden.

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