asked the Minister for Justice if he has any plans to conduct an inquiry into the prison system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison System.
84.
(Cavan): I have already conducted an inquiry into the prison system.
Will the statement be made public? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?
(Cavan): I understand the Minister for Justice has already announced his intention to make a public statement on prison conditions and, of course, he will honour that. A full public statement will be made.
Can the Minister say when this public statement will be made, in the interests of the public generally? As he is aware, there is considerable public disquiet about this matter.
(Cavan): I am not in a position to give the date but I gather from his reply to the previous question, when the Minister stated he would deal with that matter when introducing his Estimate, that the statement I have just mentioned will be made in the near future.
The Minister says these statements will be made on the Estimate.
(Cavan): I did not say that. I said that because in regard to the previous question the Minister stated he would deal with it on his Estimate, that this particular statement may very well be made before the introduction of the Estimate.
Of course the Minister is aware the Estimate is not even on the Order Paper.
(Cavan): I implied the probability is that this statement will be made before the introduction of the Estimate.
Will the Minister urge his colleague to make this statement as a matter of urgency?
(Cavan): The Minister will be made aware of the Deputy's contributions on this.