Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I begin, I wish to confirm to the House that I understand the separation of powers between the Judiciary and the State. I call on the Leader to arrange an all-day debate on several matters. The first of those matters is sentencing. Some of the sentences handed down by members of the Judiciary are an absolute joke. The second matter to be discussed during the all-day debate I am requesting would be free legal aid. In recent times, a 19 year old with 46 previous convictions was again afforded free legal aid. Where is the disincentive to prevent that individual from committing further crimes? As stated on previous occasions, I firmly believe that anybody can fall, inadvertently or otherwise, on the wrong side of the law. In that context, it should be a case that after three strikes people should no longer qualify for free legal aid. Recently, two gardaí were ambushed by five men and one of them had his eye socket broken as a result of a blow from an iron bar. The five men involved were arrested the following day and brought to court where they were granted bail. That is wrong. These perpetrators were-----