Brendan Ryan (Labour)

With regard to at least half, if not two thirds, of those in prison, we are not being protected from them because they are no threat to us. We are not rehabilitating them either, but only teaching them how to be professional criminals. We should be prepared to examine this report, which was produced by UCD with the co-operation of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Prison Service. We should discuss the issue. Let us get away from sloganeering and have a serious discussion on whether prisons work. We all believe they do, but they never do.

I was not here yesterday, but I wish to record my views on the issue of psychiatric services. Someone close to me is a psychiatrist. What was said about psychiatrists on "Prime Time" by the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, was grossly offensive to the people I know in that profession. His comments were thoughtless, irresponsible and grossly offensive and served no purpose other than to distract attention from appalling failure. I wish the minor party in Government would devote as much attention to lobbying for child psychiatry services as it has done to get a reduction in the top rate of income tax. That would have shown a greater level of social commitment rather than chasing after the illusory belief that the party can rescue itself from oblivion by cutting the top rate of income tax.

The Labour Party considers that ten and seven minute allocations for spokespersons on major legislation like the Defamation Bill is too short.