Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have a number of questions for the Taoiseach. I understand that 14 matters will come before the House without debate next week. A total of eight of these are motions back from committees without debate, while the remainder are before the House but are not to be discussed. This is not acceptable and the Taoiseach might like to deal with it.

It is perfectly obvious from the recent study that the prison system is not working and is breeding new crime and misery for the society it purports to serve. This party produced a fines Bill on a number of occasions which was voted down by the Government as far back as 1998. The study shows that 85% of those who have already done time for not paying fines will reoffend in some way. We have a situation where criminals are running loose from prison.

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