John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

This has been a useful debate as it has given us all the opportunity to condemn unlawful killing, in particular the murder of Shane Geoghegan. Deputies raised the issues of bail, the Criminal Justice Act, concerns about the 3% reduction in expenditure, digital radio services and Garda figures and I hope to respond on some of those issues.

The current figures with regard to crimes committed by those released on bail show the number of offences committed is decreasing. The figure for the first half of 2008 represents a decrease of 50% on the figures of the corresponding period last year. The Criminal Justice Act 2007 introduced new provisions designed to tighten up on the granting of bail. For example, a person can be required to provide a statement of means, previous criminal record and details of any offences committed while previously on bail. The law takes a serious view of offences committed while on bail and it is mandatory that a sentence for such an offence is consecutive to the sentence for the first offence. Committing an offence while on bail is to be regarded as an aggravating factor and failure to answer to bail is to be regarded as an offence committed while on bail.

The granting of bail is a matter for the courts. The DPP, who is independent in the performance of his function, represents the State for the purpose for dealing with such applications. The Minister is keeping the situation with regard to bail under review and will consider whether there is need for him to take any further action on it. He has confirmed that the changes brought about through the 2007 Act, which have not been long in place, are bringing about an improvement in the situation.

The Criminal Justice Act 2007 contains a provision on electronic tagging, a matter to which a number of Deputies referred. There are complex issues with regard to bringing into force the provisions for tagging people granted bail, including cost effectiveness and developments in technology. The Minister is keeping this issue under review. There is a possibility that if tagging was available this would lead to an increase in the number of people being granted bail by the courts because they might be persuaded it would be safe to release people on bail — if they are tagged — who would otherwise be detained in custody.

The Minister understands that the DPP is satisfied there is no danger of his office being unable to deal with the prosecution files submitted to him. The office has been well treated over the years in terms of resources. Many Members raised their concerns about the 3% cut in the payroll of the office of the DPP. The Minister understands the office will meet the reduced levels through a combination of factors such as changes in work practices, postponements in filling vacancies and the tight control of overtime payments.

Many Deputies raised the issue of digital radio. Plans are well advanced for the roll-out of the digital radio service to the Garda Síochána for next year. The implementation process has already commenced and it is planned to roll out the service, starting with the Dublin metropolitan area next April. By the end of 2009, it is estimated that over 9,700 gardaí — approximately 67% of current Garda numbers — 1,294 Garda vehicles and 136 Garda motor cycles will be fully equipped and operating on the new digital radio service. In addition to radio communications, the system will also be used for SMS type messaging and for voice calls to report incident details for the Garda information services centre in Castlebar for entry to the PULSE system. This will obviate the need for gardaí to carry both a radio and a mobile phone.

The prison and probation services provide a range of rehabilitative programmes with the aim of encouraging positive personal development of prisoners and preparing them for reintegration and resettlement on release from custody. Over 250 prison service posts and an increased number of 90 workshops operate in our prisons catering for this.

Before I conclude, I would like to correct the record with reference to the comments about low Garda numbers. There will be 15,000 gardaí in place by the end of 2009. This is the figure mentioned in the Opposition contract during the most recent general election campaign. The Opposition targeted 2012 to achieve that figure.

Consequently, the Garda figures we promised by and large are in keeping with those that obtain at present.

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