Vol. 560 No. 5
144 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to ensure that those charged with serious crimes are not allowed bail when charged in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3114/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Bail Act 1997 amended the bail regime generally and gave effect to the terms of the Sixteenth Amendment of the Constitution. Section 2 of the Act provides for the refusal of bail to a person charged with a serious offence where it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person. The decision to grant bail in any particular case is, of course, a matter for the courts who are independent in the performance of their judicial functions.
