Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss a matter of urgent importance, namely, the consequences for the criminal justice system as a result of the complete failure of our bail laws, notwithstanding changes in legislation and a national referendum a decade ago, the fact that crimes being committed by persons on bail have risen by over 60% in the past four years from 15,500 in 2004, to 18,500 in 2005, to 22,750 in 2006 and 24,200 in 2007, and having regard to the fact that specific sections of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, designed to address these specific shortcomings, are clearly not working, resulting in a situation where many known criminals continue to engage in serious criminal activity while on bail, thus undermining confidence in the criminal justice system in this State.

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