Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I strongly support the comments of Senator Brian Hayes and those of Senator Norris on a previous day in relation to the use of knives and other such implements. In the case of anybody found carrying a knife of a type used in many serious assaults, many of them fatal, a mandatory sentence should be handed down to such an individual. With modern advanced technology, night clubs and disco centres should have the appropriate screening of patrons entering the premises to ensure they have no offensive weapons on their person. Such articles are not carried for the purpose of paring a pencil or one's fingernails but rather to inflict serious injury on anybody who "looks crooked" at the individual concerned. It is time we took this very serious matter in hand. I would welcome an early debate on it in the House.