Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

As somebody who practices in the courts and having looked at this issue over a period of time, I would not rush into mandatory sentences. There can be a downside to them in practical terms. If one looks at their impact in other countries, I do not believe there is any proof available that they have led to a reduction in crime. I am open to discussing the issue but it would require detailed debate, while I only have a one-line remark in the Minister's speech. There is nothing on this matter in the Bill.

I would certainly be in favour of introducing an offence of supplying drugs to prisoners if I knew exactly what the Minister had in mind. I strongly proposed electronic tagging but the issues remain as to how it will be done and the safeguards that might be necessary. We need to see the detailed provisions on that subject.

The Minister's speech also referred to new provisions to deal with anti-social behaviour but all I know about this proposal is what appeared in the Minister's usual media outlets where he made some references to the possibility of introducing anti-social behaviour orders. We cannot debate such an issue merely on the basis of a single line in the Minister's speech. The question of anti-social behaviour is coming increasingly to the forefront due to such problems in our society.

I wish I had much more time to debate these issues. I would like to see exactly what the Minister has in mind as regards this criminal justice legislation but he had not afforded us the opportunity of having a full debate on it. Tá sé sóiléir nach bhfuilimid ach ag déileáil le cuid den Bhille ag an phointe seo. Ní mór don Aire sonraí iomlán a fhóilsiú sa Bhille seachas a bheith ag cur leis an t-am ar fad le forálacha suntasaigh nua. An tslí is fearr chun seo a dhéanamh ná an Bille lochtach seo a tharraingt siar agus Bille nua a scaipeadh ina mbeidh na moltaí atá ar intinn an Aire sonraithe.

Ní bheimid in ann díospóireacht ceart agus cuí a dhéanamh ar na ceisteanna tábhachtacha seo go dtí go bhfuil Bille nua curtha faoi bhráid na Dála.

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