Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for bringing this very important matter to the floor of the Dáil. Without a doubt, this is the problem of bail and reoffenders on bail committing serious or minor crimes. If we want to squeeze crime, we must view it all as serious, whether it is a handbag being stolen or a more serious offence. Without a doubt, the current position is unacceptable and the people of Ireland are fed up of seeing a revolving door system. Individual cases must of course be looked at, which is why we have judges. It is wrong, however, that people are getting bail when they have committed serious crimes and getting the opportunity to create chaos again in society. I ask the Government to look at what is happening. It is about time the bail issue was overhauled with a view to being sympathetic and understanding of the victim of crime. There is enough mollycoddling of people who commit crimes but not half enough consideration taken of the poor people who are victims.

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