Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Brian Hayes's repeated calls for a debate on the report of the Barr tribunal. I also agree with Senators O'Toole and Maurice Hayes on the need for a debate on sentencing. We would all agree that our Judiciary is wonderful for the most part and that judges consider individual cases on their merits and the evidence offered before the court but the reasons given by judges for the sentences they impose often go unreported. A debate on sentencing would be useful.

Senator O'Toole also raised the worrying trends for the future of small towns and villages. In the past few years, 400 post offices have been lost and the Garda stations in these places have long since been closed. Senator Mooney referred to the sale of books and compact disks. Predatory practices exist in that regard, so we should be watchful. A debate on that issue would also be useful.