Vol. 518 No. 2
37 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the report, Alternatives to Fines and the Uses of Prison, published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights; if he will implement the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11189/00]
I welcome the report of the Sub-Committee on Crime and Punishment of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights entitled, Alternatives to Fines and the Uses of Prison; as a contribution to the ongoing debate on the important areas of the uses of imprisonment and the strengthening of alternatives to prison such as fines. The sub-committee has written to me requesting the views of my Department on the report. The time and care which have evidently gone into the preparation of this report require that the response be based on a careful examination of the issues.
As the report raises a large number of issues, it will be necessary to draw together the views of a number of organisations under the aegis of my Department as well as those of the various divisions within my Department. A substantive response will be made to the committee as soon as this process is complete.
