Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

My question is about No. 27 on the legislative programme, legislation to end imprisonment for inability to pay fines and to provide for new ways of enforcing fines. The Government has said it is not possible to indicate when this Bill will be produced. If this legislation saved even 5% of prison places, it would mean a saving of €25 million per year. Why is it not possible to produce this legislation? There is emergency legislation before the House today and this is clearly——

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