18th September 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREENS CALL FOR ACTION AS GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES PRISON REPORT

The Green Party today called on the Minister for Justice to bring forward proposals for a Garda Ombudsman as a new report highlights continued allegations of ill treatment by those in Garda custody. "The report by the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture identifies the need for an independent body to investigate claims of ill treatment," stated Green Party Justice spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD.

"Minister McDowell seems hell-bent on giving the Gardai more powers, but we have yet to see a time-scale for the appointment of a Garda Ombudsman.  So far there has been no movement on legislation.  All we have is a vague commitment in the Programme for Government."

"The Green Party believes that we must have a system of checks and balances put in place now. We want the Government to announce a date for the appointment of a Garda Ombudsman. The report highlighted a wide range of concerns regarding the treatment of children, drug-users and the situation in mental health establishments. However, the Government's response is long on platitudes and short on substance. The Green Party wants action, not words."