Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has questioned the timing of anti-crime measures announced today by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell "weeks before the population goes to the polls."
Refering to Mr McDowell's announcement, Mr Kenny said: "Now, with the election looming, we're suddenly meant to believe that they will keep our people safe and put the thugs behind bars."
"They are going to do in 10 weeks what they haven't done in 10 years."
Citing figures obtained by his party from the Department of Justice, Mr Kenny said earlier that by the end of November last year that there were more than 6,500 suspected serious criminals out on bail.
Of these, 33 murder suspects, 595 assault suspects, 97 sexual assault suspects and 824 drugs crime suspects had been released on bail.
Mr Kenny said that in the last four years, Ireland has seen an increase of 43 per cent in murders, a 39 per cent increase in gun crime and a 25 per cent increase in rapes.
"There has never been a better time to be a violent criminal in Ireland than under the ineffective, inadequate watch of this Minister and this Government," he claimed.
Fine Gael spokesman Jim O'Keefe said "The Minister is trying to look tough with these measures, but at this late stage he's shot his bolt.
"There is no chance of this package having any impact on the appalling figures for violent crime before the change of Government at the election," he concluded.