Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Yesterday we had the spectacle of a 77 year old great-grandmother from Limerick city about to be jailed for the non-payment of a small fine. I have discovered that last year in excess of 1,000 people were put in prison for as much as two weeks for the non-payment of a fine. I give notice that my party intends to introduce a Private Members' Bill on this issue. Unfortunately, the legislation in question, the Enforcement of Court Orders Bill 2004, was voted down in the other House only two months ago.

The Fine Gael Party wants the Government to re-examine this issue. It is a scandal that people should be sent to prison and take up prison space at a cost of €4 million or €5 million per annum when white collar criminals get away with crime unnoticed on a daily basis. We must address this scandal and the only ways of doing so are through attachment of earnings or the payment of fines by instalments. New legislation is needed in this area and the Fine Gael Party will introduce a Bill on the matter early next week. I ask that the Government allocate time for its consideration at an early date to ensure the matter is addressed. In 1981, the Law Reform Commission produced proposals in this area, yet nearly 25 years later we still await Government action. I ask the Government side to give time to the Bill when I bring it before the House next week.

I presume the House will receive a glut of legislation between now and the Christmas recess. To be fair to the staff of the Houses and Opposition and Government spokespersons, and to ensure the legislation is dealt with in an orderly fashion and sufficient time is available to debate the matters in hand, will the Leader indicate what Bills will be taken before the Christmas recess? We need adequate time to table amendments.