Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
328. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures he has taken to progress his decision to place the ad hoc parole board on a statutory footing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/14]
View answerI set out the position in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 140 on Thursday 14th November, 2013. When I have considered the recommendations of the group carrying out a strategic review of penal policy, I will bring proposals forward to Government for a statutory Parole Board and will bear in mind the Deputy's suggestion on victim representation in that context. I now expect that group to report shortly.
As regards the current Board membership, I recently re-appointed the chairman, Mr John Costello. I have also re-appointed Dr Michael Mulcahy and Ms Ciairín de Buis. As things stand, I do not expect any further vacancies to arise until mid 2015.
Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 140 for WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 14th November, 2013.
I can inform the Deputy that I made the following appointments to the Parole Board:
July, 2011 Mr John Costello, Chairman
Mr Ciarán de Buis
July, 2012 Mr Willie Connolly
Mr Eddie Rock
Ms Nora McGarry
Mr Shane McCarthy (re-appointed)
August, 2012 Mr Brian Murphy (ex-officio)
Mr Vivian Geiran (ex-officio)
January, 2013 Mr Ray Kavanagh
Mr Mick Duff
The members appointed by me represent a diverse range of experience and expertise which I believe is invaluable to the work of the Board. Further details on membership are set out in the Board's Annual Report which I recently published and is available on my Department's website at www.justice.ie.
I announced my intention in 2011 to enact legislation to place the Parole Board on a statutory footing which I believe will help to strengthen the Board and improve its functions. Work is under way and progress is being made. Decisions have yet to be finalised on exactly what role a statutory Parole Board should play, what powers it should have, and how it should fit into the overall criminal justice system. I addressed the inaugural conference of the Parole Board in that regard on Friday 25 October, 2013. The discussions focussed on several aspects of the parole process, including the role of victims and the extent to which they should be involved in the process, and experience from other jurisdictions. Those discussions will also help inform this process.
I have also appointed a group to carry out a strategic review of penal policy. This is a wide-ranging and important review with implications for the future direction and implementation of penal policy in Ireland. I expect the group to report early in the new year. When I have considered their recommendations, I will bring proposals forward to Government for a statutory Parole Board. As I have said before, in that context I will bear in mind the Deputy's suggestion on victim representation.
