Vol. 401 No. 6
151 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners whose cases have been examined by the Sentence Review Group; the number of recommendations made to him for release, by the group; the number he has dealt with; when he intends to deal with the remaining recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Sentence Review Group has been appointed for the purpose of advising the Minister for Justice in relation to the administration of long duration prison sentences and this advice is provided on a confidential basis. I do not propose to make public, details of the type requested in relation to the operations of the committee or of the action taken by me in relation to cases on which the committee provide me with advice. As I informed the House when I announced the establishment of the group, the views of the Garda Commissioner and, where possible, of the trial judge, are obtained on each case that comes up for review, as a supplement to the advice of the group, before a decision is taken.
Sentence reviews are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible, having regard to the careful consideration that must be given to each case.
