Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, back to the House. As did Senators Conway and Bacik, I very much welcome the speedy passage of the Bill through the House. It makes very important changes to the bail laws and sentencing policy. As we are all aware, burglary must be one of the most horrific crimes that can be visited upon ordinary people in their own home. Several Senators, including Senator Barrett, quoted what Mr. Justice Hardiman of the Court of Criminal Appeal stated, which is that the offence of burglary committed in a dwelling house is in every instance an act of aggression, an attack on the personal rights of the citizen as well as a public crime and a violation of the victim. This sums up exactly how horrendous the crime is. Any attempt to deal with the people who are, in some cases, habitual offenders of burglary is welcome. I thank the Minister and welcome the speedy passage of the Bill through the House.