Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I, too, support the call for a debate on the issue of pensions. The question of whether pension payments should be made to sitting Members of the Oireachtas has arisen time and again over the past 12 months. The issue was highlighted in the media at the weekend. I never saw anything like it. The media were like vultures after a kill in their pursuit of the Commissioner who was in the country to perform her duties, which was a disgrace. A discussion on the issue would be worthwhile and should be held in this forum, but we should be wary of going too far. Any change will filter down to all public servants, including those in the teaching profession, many of whom after retirement are re-employed for the correction of leaving certificate papers. Should such experienced teachers be deprived of this income just because they have their pensions and should not take up other work? It is important we have a debate on the subject as there are many issues to be considered.

In light of the resignation of the governor of the female prison at Mountjoy, I would welcome a debate on Mountjoy, which is an affront to civil society as it is overcrowded, male dominated and a dumping ground for people who have not paid their debts. We must consider alternative arrangements. The Fines Bill is still on the agenda. The issue concerns where we put people who commit less serious offences and who may be socially inadequate. They should not be dumped in with serious and dangerous criminals. We need a debate that will consider community services and how best we can move forward. Perhaps we should produce a paper and set up a sub-committee to look at an alternative approach for these people.