Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the importance of the bail laws in respect of the power of the courts to refuse bail where there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is likely to commit a serious offence. In assessing this likelihood, the court must take a number of factors into account. The recently enacted Criminal Justice Act 2017 also strengthened Garda powers to deal with breaches of bail; provided for a power of arrest without warrant in certain circumstances; made provisions to increase the use of curfews; and facilitated the introduction of electronic tagging for those on bail in certain circumstances. Given that the new bail laws were only introduced a short two years ago, it is probably too early to give a comprehensive assessment as to whether or not the changes are having the desired effect. The figures for 2018 have not yet been made available from the CSO, but I expect that the introduction of the new tighter and more restricted bail regime will result in the type of activity envisaged and proposed by Deputy Durkan.

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