FIANNA Fail has pledged that it will convene a "national forum on crime", increase Garda numbers and prison spaces, reform the conduct of identification parades and introduce a witness protection programme.

Opening its nationwide campaign yesterday for a Yes vote in the bail referendum to broaden the grounds for refusing bail, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, outlined other measures his party would implement on return to government.

Flanked by his deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, and the party's justice spokesman, Mr John O'Donoghue, he also promised a comprehensive White Paper on crime, the appointment of an inspectorate of prisons, the implementation of a charter for the victims of crime and the end of temporary release for those whoa offend while on bail.

The party's cinema advertisement, released yesterday, depicts people marching against alleged drug pushers.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has accused the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, of making a blunder in the campaign for a Yes vote in the bail referendum.

The co chairman of the council, Mr Michael Farrell, said a "gaffe" by the Tanaiste while inaugurating the Labour Party campaign showed that the Government had not thought through the implications of the proposed amendment.

Mr Spring had said the amendment would allow the courts to refuse bail if satisfied the accused would interfere with the jury, Mr Farrell said.

"The notion of refusing bail because the accused might interfered with a jury is absurd, because a jury is not selected until the beginning of the accused person's trial,", Mr Farrell said.