Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

As Senator Daly said, victims deserve as much succour and debate as do those who commit crimes against society. I am not talking about young people whom, through no fault of their own, may be thrown into prison because no intervention was made earlier in their lives when they needed professional care, nor am I talking about people who do not pay fines. I agree the latter are clogging up prisons and there should be another way of dealing with them.

Lest the Christmas spirit overcomes us all——