Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. I commend the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, on the reforming nature of the work she has done since she was appointed to office. She has taken on the problems affecting both the Department and the Garda Síochána and shown real leadership in tackling the criminals who plague this country.

This Bill is just another example of how, under her stewardship, the Government is cracking down hard on criminals.

The Bill is targeted at repeat burglars who have multiple previous convictions and have been charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. It has two clear elements. First, it will strengthen the provisions for refusing bail in respect of future offences and, second, it will provide for tougher sentencing for repeat home burglars. Criminals need to know that, from now on, there will be tougher sentences and sanctions for this type of crime. There needs to be a deterrent to stop them from appearing before the courts every few months. As the system stands, it is acting like a merry-go-round because it does not sanction criminals hard enough to stop them from repeatedly offending.

Thankfully, neither my family nor I have ever been the victim of a residential robbery. However, I am sure that the House agrees that it is a highly damaging crime. In many instances, the victims are also physically assaulted by the criminals involved. I know a large number of families, widows, widowers, business people and elderly persons in my constituency of Sligo-North Leitrim who have been burgled by criminals, causing them and the areas under threat shock and horror. Too often, there is an even greater shock for the victims when these repeat robbers and scourges to society appear before the criminal justice system only to be handed concurrent sentences or sentences so lenient that one wonders whether there is any point in bringing criminal proceedings in the first place. This leniency needs to stop and we need to start getting tougher with such criminals. The Bill, when enacted, will be the starting point for this to occur.

From speaking to gardaí on the ground in Sligo and Leitrim, this type of result clearly has a demoralising effect on them. Gardaí can spend many months working hard on a case to bring criminals to justice only to see them laughing at them in the courtroom as the sentence is handed down. Seeing these criminals walking into our courts only to be handed such sentences week in, week out does not promote the drive that is necessary for gardaí to put serious effort into their work.

The Bill is just one component in Fine Gael and Labour's plan to tackle criminals and make crime pay. Work is progressing on updating the Garda's operational response to burglaries. For example, €700,000 for new specialised vehicles to support gardaí in responding to current and emerging crime threats, including burglaries committed by highly mobile gangs, was recently announced to tackle the gangs hitting rural Ireland. This is on top of the €29 million that the Government has invested in new Garda vehicles since 2012, with 370 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of this year. This investment clearly supports the Garda in being mobile, responsive and visible in communities, both urban and rural, and is critical in supporting the work of the traffic corps and national units.

Another aspect of the fight against burglaries and crime generally will be aided greatly by the Government's decision to recruit new gardaí. In September 2014, the Government opened the Garda college in Templemore for new recruits for the first time since 2009.

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