On the legislation, would the Minister accept that the sentences being given by the courts are totally inadequate at present? The Minister himself stated that people should give information to the Garda. The basic problem is that people are being caught, brought before the courts and I am asking the Minister if he accepts that the sentences being handed out to them are totally inadequate and do not act as a deterrent.

I would be guilty of a dereliction of duty if I allowed a debate on each question to drag on casually for half the day. It is not in the interests of the people who put down questions and it is not in compliance with Standing Orders. There is nothing personal in it. Would the Minister answer the last question?

I regard myself as being precluded, as a Member of the Oireachtas and an office holder, from commenting on sentences. Our job is to enact the law and it is the job of the Judiciary to enforce the law. Deputies should exercise great restraint in commenting on the individual actions of individual justices.