Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I agree with Senator Walsh. The idea of sending somebody to prison for non-payment of a television licence is foolhardy. If we as legislators were to bring in legislation that could allow that to happen we would be fools. What Senators O'Toole and Norris propose in their amendment is sensible because nobody in this Chamber, including the Minister of State, wants to see people being sent to prison for non-payment of TV licences.

In his opening remarks Senator O'Toole referred to the comments made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on RTE radio about the number of people in prison currently for non-payment of fines. He referred to seven as being seven too many. Why are we introducing legislation today that allows for people to be imprisoned for non-payment of fines or for not having a television licence? If the Bill is passed — I presume it will be voted on — it will be fools who will support it and will include it in the legislation.