Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Justice and Equality to the House as soon as possible to review our bail laws? Last week I wrote to the Department to seek up-to-date figures for crimes committed by people while on bail. We seem to have a massive problem with burglary, and in 2012 the suspected offenders in 1,585 burglaries were on bail at the time of the crime. The figure in this regard has been relatively static since 2008. This means approximately 1,500 burglaries have been committed each year by people on bail. In 2012 the offenders in 3,795 cases of disorderly conduct were on bail at the time of the crime, 803 cases of criminal damage were committed by offenders out on bail and, of more concern, 11 murders were committed by offenders who were out on bail at the time of the crime. I call for an urgent review of our bail laws to see what we can do to minimise the number of people intent on breaking the law. It is ironic the house of the Minister for Justice and Equality was burgled by a person out on bail who was facing charges of having a firearm and ammunition. This is a very urgent matter and we need to discuss it as soon as possible.