asked the Minister for Justice if he has any proposals for prison reform; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Reform.
11.
Developments in the treatment of offenders and in the administration of prisons and other places of detention are part of a continuously ongoing process which is well in hand and which I intend to promote further within the limits of the resources available.
I should like to ask the Minister who is undertaking this work? Is it someone within his Department or has a special committee been set up to study this question?
The question of prison reform is primarily a matter for me as Minister. I am charged with responsibility for it and I will seek whatever advice I need in order to carry out the reforms which I believe to be necessary. This advice will primarily come from within my Department but there is nothing to inhibit me seeking outside advice. If I consider it necessary I will seek it.
Would the Minister consider setting up a special committee to study this aspect of it?
Not at the moment. I do not consider that there is any need as of now to consider setting up any sort of an independent committee to consider this very specialised subject. It requires a very specialised knowledge and experience and that is primarily found in my Department. If in any area I think that this knowledge is not sufficiently wide I will seek outside assistance.
Would the Minister consider representations?
I would be glad to receive representations at any time.