Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I join colleagues who have called for a continuing debate on Iraq. It upsets me greatly, as I know it does every Member of the House, to see the television pictures and newspaper photographs of the result of this terror on civilians in Iraq. The pictures show young children and their parents with distraught looks on their faces and terror in their eyes. It upsets me greatly that this war is continuing and no doubt will continue longer.

I must also mention a domestic issue, although when I think of how those people are suffering, my heart is not in it. The issue concerns the exorbitant cost of keeping a prisoner in custody compared to the costs in Scotland, England and Wales. This matter needs to be addressed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. These costs have risen by more than 38% in the five year period to 2001. I am asking the Leader of the House to raise this matter with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.