Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader allocate time after the Easter recess to consider penal reform in light of the announcement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, about providing 1,000 prison places in Dublin, 800 on Spike Island and 150 new places in Castlerea, County Roscommon? Currently, approximately 250 people are in prison for the non-payment of debts, which is not the place for this offence. Mr. Paul Joyce, from the Free Legal Aid Advice Centre, published a report in May of last year entitled An End based on Means, which suggested a way out of this. A Private Members' Bill in 1999 provided for an attachment on earnings as the way to meet the non-payment of debts. It would be worthwhile to discuss and engage with the Minister on his proposals for the restructuring of the prison system and penal reform. Many of those in prison should be working in the community and helping people and An End based on Means offers options in this regard. Will the Leader have a debate on this document with a view to a Private Members' Bill to assist the Government in its work?

A Chathaoirligh, a lady was shot accidentally in Boyle, hit by a ricochet bullet from a .22 rifle fired possibly one and a half miles. Many people out shooting are using guns without proper training and it should be borne in mind that this lady, who is in Sligo General Hospital, is seriously injured and has had to have a bullet extracted from the back of her head. Will the Leader raise with the Minister the issue of the control of guns?