andMr. T. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice what facilities are available to members of Dáil Éireann when they visit prisons in the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Visits by Dáil Members.
37.
Members of Dáil Éireann, as such, have no entitlement to visit prisons. They can only do so with the permission of the Minister for Justice.
As friends or relatives of prisoners they may visit them under the conditions laid down in the Rules and Regulations. These conditions provide that visits must be in the hearing and sight of a prison officer, be within certain hours, be of certain duration and matters of that kind.
Visits to prisoners not subject to these conditions may only be had by relatives or friends with the permission of the Minister for Justice.
Is it not a fact that in every democratic State in the world members of the Opposition are allowed to visit prisons to ascertain conditions for themselves? As the Minister apparently considers that such is not the policy in this country, am I to infer that we are becoming a police State?
This particular question of admission of Members of this House to see friends of constituents in any prison in this State is one in respect of which every facility will always be afforded by me and has been given every facility by me in the past. I have given every facility over the past fortnight with regard to visits to members of the NFA. I can use my discretion, in regard to a particular case, whether or not the standard of behaviour of particular people might not warrant the granting of such visits.
Is it not established practice in all democratic countries that Members of the Opposition have the right to visit prisons and see conditions for themselves?
In every democratic country, the Minister for Justice, or his equivalent, can use his discretion in regard to how or what people are allowed to visit prisons.
If it is the practice in democratic countries to allow Members of the Opposition to visit prisons and to see conditions for themselves, why should the Minister refuse such permission in a democratic State?
As far as my responsibility lies, I can permit visits or I can prevent visits to prisons.
Will the Minister say why should he refuse permission?
It happens to be at my discretion and this has been very liberally exercised, I may say, during the past fortnight.