Vol. 430 No. 7
3 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice, in relation to the early release from prison of a person (details supplied) who was convicted of dangerous driving, the number of other early release orders signed that day by the official involved.
On the date referred to by the Deputy, a total of 48 offenders were granted periods of temporary release under the powers vested in the Minister for Justice under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960.
I have a number of supplementaries to ask the Minister in relation to this issue. As you will be aware, I tabled a ten part specific question which was gutted to this minor question. May I ask the Minister whether on the day she met the victim's family with the Mothers Against Drunk Driving she was made aware either then or previously of the reason for the early release of this prisoner?
May I ask the Minister if in relation to this prisoner any representations were made either in writing or by telephone by any member of the prisoner's family, any legal representative acting on his behalf or any politician?
No representations were made to me by any politician and as far as I am aware there was no representation other than perhaps by the prisoner himself, but I will communicate with the Deputy in relation to that issue.
Does the Minister have on her file a copy of the question I tabled?
Yes, I have.
Is it not common practice in Departments, particularly in the Department of Justice, to give the Minister an extensive briefing on any possible supplementaries? I invite her to give me an answer to my supplementary regarding representations?
Is this not a repeat?
The question on the cover of my file is the one which was originally tabled. A Cheann Comhairle, I understand it was your decision to reduce the question to its present length, even though Deputy Harney seemed to suggest I had reduced the question to its present length. The only information I have on file is that perhaps the prisoner himself made representation — in fact, I am sure he did — for temporary release. Certainly no representations were made by any politicians, which I think Deputy Harney is getting at.
I am not getting at politicians, lawyers or members of the prisoner's family. I find it unacceptable that, since the Minister had been asked this question by members of the media, she has not in the intervening period sought an answer to that question. Would the Minister accept that no accommodation crisis arose in the prisons during that weekend? The Minister told the House two weeks ago that the prisoner was released for operational reasons.
I do not accept that.
If Question No. 4 is not called and disposed of promptly it cannot be dealt with.
The Minister is doing her level best to be brief at this stage.
The Minister is aware of the stress this matter has caused to the victim's family and the disquiet among the public at large. She owes it to the family to give the full reason this person was released in anticipation of an accommodation problem which did not arise. There was no crisis in the prison that weekend.
I gave a very full response on 29 April 1993 to Deputy Shatter in relation to the circumstances of this case. I am sure Deputy Harney would not think I was being helpful if I repeated that lengthy answer once again. Because of the issuing of an incorrectly addressed letter, I am as distressed as the family in relation to this matter. I personally apologised to Mrs. Vickers and I subsequently wrote to both herself and her husband. I have been given more information in relation to this case than any previous Minister for Justice has ever given in relation to any such case.
If Question No. 4 is to be dealt with it must be responded to now. Question No. 4, please.
May I ask the Minister why she said to the family in the letter that it would be better——
The Chair is in command. Deputy Harney must now desist.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Sorry Deputy, please desist. I appeal to Members' sense of fair play to allow me to dispose of the last remaining priority question.
Where was the Minister's sense of fair play for the past 20 minutes?
If the Deputies are dissatisfied with the Minister's reply they have a remedy.
As you know, a Cheann Comhairle, I sought a remedy all day yesterday. The Department of Justice had this question ruled out of order by you.
Please, Deputy Harney, desist. This was a repeat question.
