Vol. 396 No. 3
6 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice if he considers as satisfactory recent figures supplied by the Garda authorities on the number of convictions recorded in respect of crimes committed by offenders who were on bail at the time such crimes were committed; and if he intends reforming the laws relating to bail.
I am aware of the problem of offences committed by persons on bail. I could not consider as satisfactory the position where any crimes are committed by such persons. However, the Deputy will appreciate that there are constitutional difficulties in relation to any proposal to limit the circumstances in which bail may be granted and I am advised that any attempt to link the granting of bail to the likelihood of a person committing further offences would be held to be inconsistent with the Constitution.
The Deputy will be aware that the law relating to bail has been strengthened by the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, which provides that a sentence of imprisonment for an offence committed by a person on bail must be consecutive on any sentence passed or about to be passed on him for a previous offence. The operation of the relevant provisions in the 1984 Act is being monitored and, if it is established that they are not proving to be effective, I will give further consideration to what action might be taken.
