David Norris (Independent)

The Cathaoirleach is exceptionally kind. That is the kind of civilisation we need. If we had this approach to Thornton Hall and the mental hospital, we would be in business.

Senator Mansergh suggested no one thinks prisons should not exist. I am a Utopian and, in an ideal world, they should not exist. In my opinion, they should be the last resort. The Minister has encouraged community service orders and so on.

I will now don my right-wing hat, which will delight the Minister. For the heinous crimes involving guns that occur throughout the city, such as the monstrous slaying of the young Latvian woman, prison is not just appropriate but essential in order to protect the community. There should not be a soft regime for these people. For them I would be quite happy to see the reintroduction of hard labour. Anyone who can approach a young woman, the mother of two defenceless children, and callously blow her off the face of the earth should not be allowed to relax in peace, comfort and security. That person should be daily reminded, by the conditions in which they are kept, of the awfulness of the crime and the seriousness with which society regards it.