Fine Gael party leader Enda Kenny has called for the introduction of electronic tagging of individuals who are granted bail while accused of a serious crime.
In his opening speech at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis, which is being held in Dublin this weekend, the main opposition party leader said that it was time to shift the balance so that the criminal justice system prioritised the rights of the silent law abiding majority, rather than the rights of the accused.
Over the past two years some 11,000 serious crimes have been committed by persons on bail including 43 homicides and more than 500 assaults, a level of crime which Kenny described as "unacceptable".
Fine Gael is proposing that a new Bail Act be brought forward which will consider all the factors involved for considering bail applications for serious offences. The new Bail Act will extend the list of offences where only the High Court can grant bail to include rape, serious drug charges, robbery and serious firearm charges.
Under the party's proposals, the Court would also be empowered to impose as a condition of bail a provision that the accused person be electronically tagged and monitored.
"If someone accused of a serious crime is granted bail, I want the Courts to have the option of electronically tagging that person so that the Gardaí can track their movements 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year," said Kenny.
"I know that some will criticise this on the basis that you can't tag a man or woman who might be innocent. But I am convinced that if the Gardaí persuade the judge that this is necessary to prevent another serious crime, then that is a price we should be prepared to pay.
"Tagging is an effective way for Gardaí to keep track of individuals and can help prevent future crime," he added.
Kenny also called for a number of other criminal justice reforms including the introduction of a new system for fast-tracking appeals by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to the Court of Criminal Appeal against the granting of bail. Moreover, the party leader said that he wanted the prosecution to be consulted on possible sentences for those found guilty of crimes.
"At present, after the verdict is handed down, the judge might hear from the victim, as is right. He will definitely hear the pleadings of the criminal. But he will hear nothing from the prosecution who represents the people," stated Kenny.
"I'm going to change that. I'm going to insist that after every guilty verdict for serious crime, the prosecution will propose a sentence which reflects the peoples' view," he added.
Later this evening, Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keefe is expected to expand on the party law and order proposals and outline its intentions for the Garda Síochána should it be elected.
The party is proposing to introduce guidelines on sentencing and a comprehensive register of sentences in the form of a database that judges can refence so as to bring transparency to the sentencing process. It is also planning on increasing the numbers in the force from the present level of fewer than 12,500 to 14,000.
Lastly, it intends to increase the number of sergeants and inspectors in the force and extend the retirement age from 57 to 60 years for senior members who wish to continue in service.
