Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2016
51. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in giving effect to the 2011 decision to establish the Parole Board on a legally independent basis; the details of appointments made to the board in the past three years; if the vacancies were advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4511/16]
View answerIn September 2014 I published the report of the Penal Policy Review Group which was tasked with carrying out a strategic review of penal policy. As an initial step, the Government agreed in principle in November 2014 to proceed with the implementation of a number of key recommendations, including the bringing forward of legislative proposals to establish the Parole Board on a statutory footing. Work is ongoing on the preparation of a general scheme.
I can inform the Deputy that I made the following appointments to the Parole Board in the last three years:
|
YEAR |
NAME |
|
January 2013 |
Mr. Mick Duff |
|
February 2014 |
Dr. Michael Mulcahy (re-appointed) |
|
July 2014 |
Mr. John Costello, Chairman (re-appointed) |
|
Ms. Ciairín de Buis (re-appointed) |
|
|
January 2015 |
Mr. Martin Smyth (ex officio) |
|
July 2015 |
Mr. Willie Connolly (re-appointed) |
|
Mr. Shane McCarthy (re-appointed) |
|
|
Ms. Nora McGarry (re-appointed) |
|
|
Mr. Eddie Rock (re-appointed) |
|
|
September 2015 |
Mr. Noel Dowling (ex officio) |
|
January, 2016 |
Mr. Ray Kavanagh (appointed in January 2013 and re-appointed in January 2016) |
As I have stated previously, the members appointed by me represent a diverse range of experience and expertise which I believe is invaluable to the work of the Parole Board.
