Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

That is what I am advised. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe aimed at the same outcome in his amendments Nos. 118, 130, 137, 143 and 163. I propose the Government amendments to cover the points he raised in his amendments. I am grateful to him for raising these issues. Deputy Ó Snodaigh is correct, and I agree with him warmly, that he has not persuaded me to change my mind on these matters. I know and respect his view on this and I do not believe we are going down the American or Australian road. Let us be clear on what has happened in America and the UK, where repeat offences of a serious, violent nature attract life sentencing and in America they attract huge prison sentences automatically after three felonies. Three strikes and one is out.

See this speech in context