FF continued commitment to ongoing and relentless fight against crime - Curran

In the coming years, Fianna Fáil will continue to be the leading Irish political party in the fight against crime,” according to FF Spokesman on Justice John Curran TD.

“Despite significant resistance from within the Dáil, particularly from the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil in Government have brought forward and enacted legislation which has enabled the Gardaí to intensify the fight against crime. This fight is ongoing and relentless.

We are proud of the particular focus that the Government has brought to the fight against gangland crime. If re-elected, Fianna Fáil will work with the Garda Commissioner to ensure that his force is fully equipped in terms of resources and legislation.

In addition to fully equipping the Gardaí, we will provide the additional prison places that are necessary through the completion the construction of the Thornton Hall prison complex and we will maintain the Prison Building Programme.

Over the period of the next Government, we will also work to create a Courts and legal system that is more accessible and more affordable for our citizens. We are also committed to holding hold a Referendum on the establishment of a Court of Appeal.

In recognition of the need to ensure that the legal system is not an impediment to entrepreneurship, over the coming 5 years we will reduce the bankruptcy period and introduce a new bankruptcy regime. This will ensure that we strike the correct balance between safeguarding the rights of debtors with the need to allow entrepreneurs a second chance.

As outgoing Government Chief Whip, I had hoped to timetable the passing of the Criminal Procedures Bill (White Collar Crime) 2011 Bill in advance of the general election. Unfortunately this was not possible.

The area of white collar crime and finance related crime is an area of significant and understandable concern for all Irish people. The speedy enactment of this legislation needs to be a priority for the next Government.

In addition to bringing forward and enacting this important legislation, we will ensure that the ODCE and Garda Siochána have the appropriate professional and expert staff and resources to deal with white collar and financial crimes.

In Government, I am proud of the role we have played in fighting crime, working with the Gardaí and others. I do not believe that the alternative coalition of Fine Gael and Labour has the political cohesion, or political will, to continue that sustained fight against crime.”