The Parole Board has called for longer jail terms for those convicted of serious crime.
In its first annual report, the Board said those convicted of murder should serve a minimum of 12 years in prison.
The Board, whose principal function is to advise the Minister for Justice in relation to the administration of long term prison sentences, said people convicted of murder must be made aware that a long period of imprisonment awaits them.
The Board's director Mr Gordon Holmes said longer prison terms should be considered given the recent increase in murders and lawlessness.
Mr Holmes said: "The Board feels it must indicate that the sanctity of human life must be preserved and maintained and if this means persons committing murder can expect to serve longer sentences before becoming eligible for parole so be it."
Welcoming today's report, the Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell, said "the Board members bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their task and I would like to thank them for their efforts over the past year."
Currently life sentences are reviewed by the Board after seven years however prisoners serving sentences for certain offences, such as the murder of a member of the Garda Síochána or the prison service in the course of their duty, are excluded from the process.