Criminals given life sentences can expect to serve longer terms in future than is the case now, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Mr McDowell said today.
Speaking at the presentation of the Courts Service strategic plan 2002 - 2005. The Minister said there was a perception that people given life sentences only serve between seven and 10 years of their sentence.
"The purpose of having a prison system is so that it will act as a deterrent. If people think that sentences are short then there is no deterrent," said Mr McDowell.
There was, however, no indication of when the new sentencing policy would be introduced.
Last week the Minster revealed the latest crime figures for 2002. The figures showed an increase in reported serious crime of 22 per cent, with a dramatic 50 per cent increase in assault and 62 per cent in sexual offences.
It was the second substantial annual increase in a row and reported serious crime had risen by more than 40 per cent since 2000.
However, today the Minister said when the increase in population was taken into account there had been no rise in reported crime since 1996.
He added that Ireland's "liberal bail laws" gave the impression that crime was slow to be dealt with in the courts. Using the example of juvenile crime, Mr McDowell said that it could take 12 to 18 months before juveniles were confronted with their crimes in the courts.
According to the CEO of the Courts Service, Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, the plan aims to provide a high quality and professional service to all users of the courts.
The plan outlines 12 principles to be followed including; publishing a statement that outlines the nature and quality of service which customers can expect, ensure the rights to equal treatment established by equality legislation.
It also aims to provide clean, accessible public offices that ensure privacy, and that the Courts Service take a proactive approach in providing information that is clear, timely and accurate.
The requirements of people with specific needs are to be met and maintaining a well publicised, accessible, transparent and simple-to-use system of dealing with complaints about the quality of service provided is also part of the 12 principles.
The Courts Service will also provide services through Irish and/or bilingually and inform customers of their right to choose to be dealt with through one or other of the official languages.