I would like to raise the issue of overcrowding in our prisons today. The current state of our prison system is concerning. Overcrowding has been flagged for years by the Irish Penal Reform Trust. The situation is deteriorating rapidly. Recent figures show that approximately 66% of prisoners - 3,586 out of a total prison population of 5,463 - have previously served time. That tells us that the system is not rehabilitating effectively. People are being released within one day of entering the prison system simply because there is not space. In 2024, over 1,000 prisoners were released within 24 hours on temporary release. There are even warnings from within the Prison Service that overcrowding is increasing the risk of violence and rioting. We need to address the strange inconsistency in sentencing. We regularly see repeat offenders receiving suspended sentences. Let us imagine the frustration of our gardaí who make the arrest, complete the paperwork, send the file to the DPP and when the case goes to court, the individual walks free. People know that they can flout the law without a fear and continue to do this in a revolving door system.

Years ago, we saw a man imprisoned for six years for falsely labelling Chinese garlic as apples to evade high customs duties. Yet, every week or so, we see individuals who are found with the most horrific child sexual abuse material being given suspended sentences. Where is the sense of justice when financial crimes are treated more harshly than the abuse of children? Who are we looking after? We have cases like Detective Garda Eamonn Cunnane, a respected officer who, during the lockdown, lent an unclaimed bicycle to an elderly neighbour in rural isolation. As a result, he faced a criminal investigation, suspension and a four-year ordeal that took a profound personal effect on his life. Meanwhile, serious repeat offenders are cycling through the system with minimal consequences and laughing. Is the Minister concerned with sentencing? Does he believe prison overcrowding is influencing these decisions? Will the Government build a new prison or will we be debating overcrowding in another ten years?