I am disappointed that we continue to engage in debates by way of statements. Surely there must be some other work that we could be doing. The House has long been accused of engaging in hot air. We do not move anything forward much in making statements. Legislation has been lying there since the previous Seanad which we could probably examine. Yesterday morning I heard on the radio once again the prisoner class - the perpetual prisoners who pass through the revolving doors - talk about how they would not pay fines because they knew that they would be sent to Portlaoise or Mountjoy Prison and be able to get a taxi home after having lunch, having been sentenced to three months in prison.

We might, therefore, dedicate a little time with the relevant Minister to debate how we might find a solution to this outrageous problem. It is sickening for those who have had their houses broken into or been assaulted by the people concerned who are refusing to pay fines because they know that they will get three months in jail and be out in one hour. Surely we must be able to do something productive about this problem.