Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am going to mention County Louth. I was impressed by the witnesses' engagement with the committee. As regards community restorative justice and its link with crime and punishment, if somebody commits a low level crime he or she is generally punished or sanctioned. This retributive or utilitarian justice wipes the slate clean and the criminal justice system no longer pursues him or her. The witnesses help people to restore self-esteem. Where does that leave the crime that an individual may have committed in terms of the statutory justice system?

As a former chairman of Louth County Council and Dundalk Town Council, I am also interested in learning more about what the witnesses are doing with Louth County Council.