Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2011
164 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons arrested for possession of drugs for sale and supply while they were on bail in each of the past five years; the number of those arrested who were again released on continuing bail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5772/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide directly to the Deputy any available statistics in relation to the commission of drugs offences during the reporting period, where the suspected offender was on bail.
Other information sought by the Deputy relates to the granting of bail by the courts. Under the Courts Service Act, 1998, the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system, including the provision of statistical and other related information. I have requested this information from the Courts Service in so far as what is available or can be compiled and will contact the Deputy again.
I am concerned about offences being committed by persons on bail. For that reason, I intend to bring forward a new Bail Bill which will consolidate and update bail law. In preparing the Bill, I have asked my Department to examine a number of matters in the current law to ensure that the bail regime can operate in as tight and effective a way as possible. One of the measures I am looking at is the extent to which the law can give greater guidance to the courts on the need to protect the public against those who present an unacceptable risk of committing a serious offence if granted bail.
