Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this question which is both serious and relevant. I agree that the effect of the burglary of a person's home cannot be measured simply in financial terms in respect of the goods stolen or interfered with. There is also an absolute sense of violation felt by the victims. The sense that someone has been in one's home and bedroom tampering with one's personal belongings and, in some cases, stealing or damaging things that may not be of great financial value but which are of considerable sentimental and emotional value to the victims is unnerving. The suggestion the Deputy has made is constructive. In terms of penalties, the Minister for Justice and Equality has a strong personal view in favour of restorative justice. I will bring to his attention what is a worthwhile and constructive suggestion made by the Deputy and ask him to have the Deputy's comments considered as a way of dealing with the issue. Naturally, the proposal could never repair the sense of violation and damage experienced by someone whose home has been burgled, but perhaps it might be a more pragmatic, effective and appropriate way of dealing with the perpetrators than some of the ways by which they are being deal with.

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