Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State is good at buying and selling land but we will hear a lot about value for money in the next three weeks.

I welcome the Government's decision to establish this commission of investigation. I compliment Mr. Michael Mellett for exposing in a clear, concise way the problems associated with the experience of Gary Douch, the tragic circumstances surrounding his death and the inability of the prison system in Mountjoy to cater for inmates in that category. The governor of Mountjoy at the time, Mr. Lonergan, indicated that chronic overcrowding had resulted in the release at that time of 110 prisoners due to the inability of the prison system to cope. The Minister closed two prisons before he built any others. He put the cart before the horse when dealing with the prison building programme.

There are many people in prison who should not be there. Those who have not paid a fine should be subject to an attachment of earnings or social welfare benefits rather than being sent to prison from where they may emerge as hardened criminals. Many criminals learn and ply their trade in the prison system and that must change.

The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 is an ideal vehicle by which Gráinne McMorrow SC will be able to do her business quickly and efficiently, building on Mr. Mellett's work. Mr. Mellett's report was an example of how we can work more effectively in difficult circumstances. He got to the heart of the matter quickly and presented a report to the Tánaiste who has decided that the issues involved are so important that they require an investigation by an experienced senior counsel who will make recommendations on this matter within six months. That is the sort of effective decision making that should be extended into other areas of investigation, instead of letting them drag on for years.

Deputy Jim O'Keeffe, the Fine Gael justice spokesman, highlighted the need for this in August 2006, a few days after the attack on Gary Douch on 31 July. Consistent with our calls since then for an independent inquiry, I welcome the opportunity to reflect on the prison building programme, the level of overcrowding in prisons that has caused many of these problems and the fact that we now have an effective mechanism under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 to deal with this sad case. I support the motion.

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