Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and the very speedy passage of the legislation. We did all point out on Second Stage last week how important the Bill is and how real a concern there is about levels of burglary throughout the country, in particular high levels of recidivism. Last week, the Minister quoted the very high level of recidivism, particularly arising in statistics on burglary offences. The Bill is particularly focused and targeted. It seeks to ensure preservation of safeguards and protections for the rights of due process of accused persons, but it is targeted specifically at recidivist offending. We all welcome this in the interests of victims' rights.

We just heard from the chair of the parole board a moment ago in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, and we spoke about the need to ensure rehabilitation of offenders. Of course the Bill, as a criminal justice measure, is only part of a package of measures aimed at dealing with recidivism and tackling repeat offending. The Minister pointed out the need for the interagency approach and we all very much welcome this. Clearly a range of other interventions are necessary to prevent re-offending and crime. I thank the Minister for coming to the House and note the speedy and welcome passage of the legislation.