Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

Has there been some great advance technically? I certainly do not want another white elephant.

The current Government's dallying with electronics should have warned it sufficiently about wasted money. If the project is unworkable, the Minister should tell us. If there has been some technological breakthrough since last May and the tall buildings, high trees and low clouds no longer affect the system and it is hunky-dory, he should let us know. It might then be a practical and useful device but if it does not work it is a sop.

It seems we have a raft of great, strong measures but, when examined under the microscope or even through good looking glasses, they are not so robust at all. We need to tease them out in detail, particularly if we are to spend public money on them.

My colleague, Deputy Jim O'Keeffe, asked the very good question as to whether any money has been spent on electronic tagging since the enactment of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 last year. Is the Minister just shoving in the provision in case Fine Gael gets uppity again, thus exposing him? I am interested in finding out.

Part 3 of the Bill provides for new sentencing arrangements.

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