Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support the call by Senator Ross for a debate on employment and, in particular, the job losses we have seen over recent months. It is a matter of concern and I fully support the Senator's balanced approach to such a debate. We should consider the various issues involved, including benchmarking and the minimum wage.

Issues relating to research and development have been well addressed by the Departments of Education and Science and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. There is a good emphasis on this and it is the way forward. The House would do well to analyse the matter sensibly and a debate would be beneficial.

I support the call by Senator Cox for a debate on the specific issues and general area of consistency of sentencing. The issue from a few weeks ago, where sentencing was perhaps very lenient for the offence committed, has been well articulated. Yesterday, we saw a case where the penalty seemed to be disproportionate to the offence.

We must look at the area in a balanced manner because it is very difficult when removed from a case to make definitive judgments whereas a jury or judge will have sat through a case and heard evidence and arguments from both sides before making a considered opinion. We must be cautious in the line we take, but there is public disquiet about sentencing policy, which is not good for the administration of justice. Accordingly, we should have a debate.