Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2017
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which crimes continue to be committed by persons on bail in respect of previous criminal activity; the extent to which multiple crimes continue to be committed in this fashion; the extent to which the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016 plans to deal with this issue comprehensively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24701/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have asked the CSO to forward the available statistics in relation to the information requested directly to the Deputy.
It should be noted that the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016 does not address issues pertaining to offences committed by persons on bail. However, the Criminal Justice Bill 2016 (changed from the Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016), which I published on 8 December last, will strengthen the operation of the bail system with the aim of making the law as effective as possible in protecting the public against crimes committed by persons on bail.
Under the Bill, Courts will be required to have regard to persistent serious offending by an applicant for bail and the nature and seriousness of any danger presented by the grant of bail to a person charged with an offence with a penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment or more. The Court will also have the power, in certain cases, to hear evidence from the victim of an offence before a decision on bail is taken.
Where an accused person is granted bail, the Bill will provide for stricter bail terms for repeat serious offenders, strengthen Garda powers to deal with breaches of bail, increase the use of curfews, and introduce electronic tagging for those on bail where requested by Gardaí. The Bill is due to be considered at Report Stage in the Dáil on Wednesday and enactment is a priority for the Government.
