Justice Minister announces new bail laws

The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has announced new bail laws are on the way.

Ms Fitzgerald is also considering a new Criminal Justice Inspectorate.

Addressing the Fine Gael national conference under the theme 'crackdown on crime' Frances Fitzgerald said crime "is the enemy - it is an opportunistic virus that shifts, morphs and new threats every year".

On burglary she said she is now considering automatic consecutive sentences for repeat offenders saying serious, serial and violent offenders need to be put behind bars and kept there.

Bail laws are also to be updated - the Minister says she will seek Cabinet approval for the new measures soon:

Frances Fitzgerald says she is also considering a new Criminal Justice Inspectorate modelled on the Northern Ireland one.

It would incorporate the Garda Inspectorate, Inspector of Prisons and agencies such as the Probation Service.