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Tánaiste and Minister
for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):
In 2002, the then Minister for Justice,
Equality and Law Reform established the Office of Inspector of Prisons
and Places of Detention on a non statutory footing.
In 2005, I looked at the
possibility of providing a statutory basis for the office by means of a
statutory instrument. However, after consultation with the
Attorney General, I came to the conclusion that there should be
provision for such an office in primary legislation.
In July of this year, the
Government approved my proposal to establish an Office of Inspector of
Prisons on a statutory basis. I will be introducing an appropriate
statutory provision by means of an amendment to the Prisons Bill 2005 in
the near future. I would hope that the Bill, as amended, will be
enacted before Christmas of this year so that the statutory office can
be established in 2007. |