Tony Gregory
Ceist:146 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a commencement date has not been fixed for the bail legislation; and if there is a difficulty which will require new legislation. [20851/97]
Written Answers. - Bail Legislation.
The Bail Act, 1997, was passed into law by the Oireachtas in May of this year. Section 13 of the Act provides that the Act is to come into operation by order to be made by the Minister. The provisions of the Act have not been brought into force because existing prison accommodation would not be able to deal with the additional demand. Obviously I want to avoid a situation where convicted persons would have to be released to make space for additional remand prisoners. I will bring the provisions of the Act into force as quickly as possible. I am keeping the matter under review in the context of the major prison building programme which I have under way at present which includes a new remand prison at Wheatfield. The prisons accommodation situation is the only matter which has prevented the Act being brought into operation and no further legislation is required in the matter.