THE Minister for Justice is to bring new proposals before Cabinet which include a constitutional referendum to allow changes in bail laws.
There are signs that support for such a controversial move is gaining momentum among the Government parties. Ms Owen's proposition is to combine legislative and constitutional change.
Pressure on the Minister arising from public concern about crime appears to be casing after her announcement yesterday of plans for more than 250 additional prison places and the appointment of 15 extra judges.
The Minister also used the launch of her criminal justice plans to announce the appointments to five new regional commander positions under the reorganisation of the Garda Siochana.
The Ministers' announcement was accompanied by increased confidence among gardai about solving the murder of the Co Galway pensioner, Mr Tom Casey. A teenage girl being questioned tab out the murder is expected to be released from custody today, but local gardai said they were making progress.
Gardai are also understood to be following a particular line of inquiry into the killing of the elderly Killarney man, Patrick Daly, whose body was found in a well last week.
The Minister's promise to introduce 278 additional prison spaces, including the reopening of the detention unit at the Curragh and to appoint 15 new judges and bring forward criminal justice legislation was broadly welcomed by Garda representatives.
The prison package, also promising to move the first prisoners to the new prison in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, was also welcomed by the Prison Officers Association.
Last week the Minister was criticised by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) assistant general secretary, Mr RJ. Stone, who questioned her ability as Minister. The GRA statement was immediately disowned by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Culligan.
The GRA general secretary, Mr John Ferry, said last night he hoped the Minister would "follow through" on her proposals and called on her to implement her promise of a referendum on the bail laws.
The package provides a total of 278 prison spaces over the next 18 months, by refurbishing or adding to existing prisons.
The Minister said 110 new places would be available within three months, almost 200 would be ready within seven months, and the remainder would be in use within a year and a half.