Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the initiation of this Bill as it affords the House an opportunity to debate the subject of sentencing, which is one well worthy of discussion here. I welcome the civilised tone with which the principal Opposition party has introduced the measure. While I would not describe it as a pleasure, I had the experience of listening to the Leader of the Opposition addressing his party's annual conference. I did not detect a similarity between the tone of his address then and what I have heard this evening. It is worthwhile having a debate on this subject. Before I address the merits of the debate, I am glad to see that the principal Opposition party does not simply rely on a base appeal to popular prejudice when engaging in arguments in this House, whatever might happen at their annual conference.

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