Fine Gael in government would give the Director of Public Prosecutions new powers to argue in court for specific sentences that "reflect the people's view" in serious crime cases, the party leader Enda Kenny said last night.
Opening what he said may be the last national party gathering before the general election, Mr Kenny said he wanted "the voice of the people" to be heard in future when sentences were being passed on those guilty of serious crime.
"I'm going to insist that after every guilty verdict for serious crime, the prosecution will propose a sentence which reflects the people's view," he said.
"This will make sure that judges hear the voice of the people. It will help redress the balance back towards the silent, law-abiding majority."
He said that at the moment, a judge might hear from a crime victim, and "will definitely hear the pleadings of the criminal". But he would hear nothing "from the prosecution who represents the people".
At his party's ardfheis in Dublin's City West Hotel, Mr Kenny also proposed the electronic tagging of those accused of serious crime who are granted bail. Over the past two years, 11,000 serious crimes had been committed by people on bail, he said. These included 43 homicides, more than 500 assaults and 750 drugs offences.
"This level of unacceptable crime by people out on bail is the product of a criminal justice system that prioritises the rights of the accused over the rights of the silent, law-abiding majority.
"I think it's time that we shifted the balance."
He said he wanted the courts to have the option of electronically tagging someone granted bail on a serious offence "so that the gardaí can track their movements 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
"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."
The party was also proposing a new Bail Act to clarify beyond doubt the factors to be taken into account when deciding whether to grant bail.
"We also need a new system for fast-tracking appeals by the DPP to the Court of Criminal Appeal." These measures would help change the system so that priority is given to the rights of the majority. That is where Fine Gael's priorities lie.
Mr Kenny told delegates to go back to their constituencies and tell people the election will be "about changing the Government".
"The fact is, the people of Ireland are tired of this Government. They are weary of their arrogance, weary of their complacency and weary of their failure to deliver decent public services."
Announcing these get-tough policies on justice was part of the Fine Gael strategy of giving detailed proposals to deal with what the party sees as the key election issues. According to Mr Kenny these will be "our chaotic health service, our failing justice system and this Government's insatiable taste for waste.
"And the message to the electorate must be - if you want to change the Government, if you want Fianna Fáil out of Government, then vote Fine Gael.
"And support our partners in the Labour Party.
"The electorate will not be fooled by hollow promises from niche, fringe, self-serving parties who want to be on everyone's side and on no one's side."
He pledged that Fine Gael and Labour would "set out an agreed agenda for action on the matters that affect people in their day-to-day lives. That joint work has already begun with joint documents in partnership, on efficient and effective government, on emigrants' rights and on Dáil reform.
"This work will accelerate in the months ahead. The relationship between the two parties has never been stronger. We are united in a common objective - to change this Government."