Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
375. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding electronic tagging as a method of supervision and control in respect of persistent acts of criminality and violence by persons; if he has developed a policy on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28896/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a series of post-imprisonment restraint orders for violent and sexual offenders to include electronic tagging and other restrictions which may be imposed at the time of sentencing.
My Department has been conducting a wide-ranging examination of the law on sexual offences and a review of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 formed an integral part of that examination. Legislative proposals being considered include measures for the electronic monitoring of sex offenders in specific circumstances and changes with regard to civil sex offender orders to make it easier to apply to a court for such an order.
My current priority is measures relating to sex offenders. When these have been finalised, consideration will be given to what new measures may be appropriate to violent offenders. I should add that electronic monitoring is also being examined by the Group conducting the strategic review of penal policy.
