David Norris (Independent)

I agree with Senator Mansergh that it was an inappropriate remark. I expect nothing much else from Mr. Berlusconi who has a murky background in his own country and used the law to escape from prosecution.

I support Senator Brian Hayes's call for a debate on the prison system. While I welcome the proposals to demolish prisons, I am not so sure about rebuilding them. We ought to move away from the mania for custodial sentences towards a more community based programme for lesser offences. Some changes need to be made as it is inappropriate that we have Dickensian conditions with prisoners slopping out etc.