Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I join others in asking that the Irish people who died in the First World War be remembered by the State. They have been forgotten during the years. Many of them were from my home city, Waterford. Many were looking for adventure, like young John Condon, aged 15 years, who was killed on the battlefield, one of the youngest to be killed in the First World War. As stated, many went away to put bread on the table because of the economic circumstances of the time. Others wanted to further the cause of the Home Rule campaign, the national aspiration of the time, which was supported by the vast majority in the country. I ask that the people who were killed in the First World War be remembered in some way by the State, and perhaps the Leader might come back to the House on that matter.

I note that more than 250 prisoners jailed for not paying fines were released at the gates of the prisons where they were to serve their sentences, mainly because of overcrowding in our prisons. I do not believe that people who have to pay fines should go to prison in the first place, but they should have to pay the fines, whether through their salaries, social welfare or whatever. This matter will have to be addressed. We can take it up tomorrow with the Minister when speaking about prisons, but I do not believe that anyone who fails to pay a fine should get off scot free. He or she should be made to pay the fine in some way, whether through a community order or an attachment of earnings order on salary or social welfare payments.