The Sentence Review Group, which was set up initially in 1989, is expected to conclude its work within the next couple of months. The Deputy will be aware that I announced the membership of the parole board last month. It is hoped that the board will be operational in the autumn. In the meantime, premises for the parole board have been provided and are being fitted out, staff are in the process of being provided and I also intend to provide training for members of the board. The board, when operational, will replace the Sentence Review Group. I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my deep appreciation of the dedicated service and invaluable contribution made by all of the members of the Sentence Review Group in advising me and my predecessors on the administration of long-term prison sentences over a 12 year period.
The outgoing members of the Sentence Review Group are Ms Alice Leahy, Chairperson appointed in March 1996 and founder and director of TRUST, an organisation that works with homeless people; Ms Gisela Whyte, appointed in December 1989 and Secretary of PACE (Prisoners Aid through Community Effort); Mr. Frank Crummey, appointed in March 1996 and is a retired member of An Garda Síochána; Mr. Martin Tansey, appointed an ex officio member of the group in December 1989 and principal probation and welfare officer, probation and welfare service; Dr. Charles Smith, appointed an ex officio member of the group in December 1989 and Medical Director of the Central Mental Hospital; and Mr. John Kenny, appointed an ex officio member of the group in November 1999 and principal officer in the prisons operations division of the Irish Prison Service. All of the current members of the Sentence Review Group reside in Dublin.