Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

This is a high priority. However, it is a difficult area, as the separation of powers of the Judiciary, the Legislature and the Government must be observed. Much of the debate with the Judiciary centres on this area. We must hear the comments of all judges, from the highest court in the land to the lowest, on what is being proposed. It is, once more, a question of deciding between light and heavy regulation. We need to consider whether the legislation should be detailed, or whether a lighter touch should be used when considering the extent to which outside lay people should be involved in the investigation of alleged breaches of judicial ethics. Since I became Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have said on many occasions that I am prepared to examine the bail laws which are being kept under review. Substantial changes to the bail regime were made quite recently, with the help of the people in a referendum. Some of the figures in that regard have started to come through in recent times. The granting of bail is now much more restrictive. The Garda now has the ability to apply to the courts to ensure bail is not granted. Such issues should be allowed to take their course. It is clear that some of the figures issued by Fine Gael in recent times predated the recent changes.

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