The report, An Assessment of the Efficacy of Bail Laws in Ireland, was compiled by Lorcan Staines SC and commissioned earlier this year by the Minister for Justice. It considers the legal framework surrounding bail and assesses the current operation of the criminal justice system as it relates to the bail process.

The Law Society made several recommendations in a submission to Lorcan Staines SC, and a number are included in the final report.

 These include

• An improvement in the quality of information provided to the court when considering a bail application.
• The review of the current legislation to allow for effective electronic monitoring/tagging.
• A review of the guidelines regarding release of accused persons on bail by An Garda Síochána.

The report was commissioned by the Minister for Justice following his apology to the family of the late Shane O'Farrell, who was tragically killed in August 2011 when struck by a car driven by a person who was on bail for a series of offences at the time.

The Law Society will now consider the report in full before providing any further comment.