Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask that a debate be arranged on the sentencing of prisoners. In this country we, as legislators, have a duty to the 99.99% of the population who are law-abiding, and we currently have a revolving door system in place in the prisons. People in this country, particularly those in rural areas, live in fear, as people who are out on bail can continue to commit offences. Moreover, people can be tried on five, six or seven offences and still receive a sentence that runs concurrently. This process must be reviewed because we, as legislators, have that duty to our people.

During the terms of previous Governments and even this Government, we have heard about zero tolerance but it is not evident in this country. People deserve to be protected by the law so we must review sentencing. There is also a revolving door process whereby we send young people to prison as young offenders and they come out worse because we do not have a proper education system in prisons.

Last week, the wife of a publican in Kilkenny died. When he was burying his wife, a van arrived outside his pub, which is 200 yards from the Garda station. The thieves cleared out all the alcohol, cigarettes and televisions from the pub before going upstairs to the living quarters and clearing out furniture and jewellery. That is a cold and callous act, and people should not suggest that these people are not repeat offenders. Such thieves should be dealt with properly by the law and not allowed on our streets. I ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House for a debate, as it is an important issue.

I compliment Senator Byrne on his theatrics about the children's hospital. This Government will get it right, with a decision in two or three weeks. If this House is abolished, there will always be a place in the Abbey Theatre for the Senator.