Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am conscious of public concern about the extent to which offences continue to be committed by persons on bail. I share that concern. Our bail law must be continually reviewed to ensure that all possible avenues are taken to protect the public against the commission of crime, particularly serious crime, by persons on bail. In doing this, we have to take account of the restrictions which exist from the provisions of our Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights on the extent to which the right to bail can be limited.

My Department is engaged in work to consolidate and update bail law with a view to presenting a clear, accessible and modern statement of the law. In the context of that modernisation of the law, I will seek to restructure the law so that it has a focus on the protection of the individual and the protection of the public. My intention is that the new proposals will provide better guidance to the courts on how such protection might be provided. I also take the opportunity to introduce some general improvements to bail law to improve the overall working of the bail system. In the coming weeks, I will bring proposals to Government on the matter. In bringing forward my proposals, I have to be conscious of the likely effect on prison accommodation, which, as the Deputy will appreciate, is under severe pressure.

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