Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 473: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the findings and recommendations of the UN Committee Against Torture in regard to prison facilities and Magdalene Laundries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15243/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, the UN Committee against Torture (UNCAT) issued its concluding observations on Monday 6 June following Ireland's first examination in Geneva last month under Article 19 of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The Committee in its statement acknowledged Ireland's commitment to engage with them in a constructive manner and indeed commended Ireland for significant progress in recent years in a number of areas such as the prevention of domestic violence and human trafficking. Its concluding observations cover a wide range of areas from prison conditions to the total prohibition of corporal punishment, the Magdalen Laundries, the follow up to the Ryan Report and the processing of applications for refugee status, all of which impact on the remit of several Government Departments.

In conjunction with my cabinet colleagues, the Deputy can be assured that I will closely examine the concluding observations and recommendations of the Committee. The Government will also in due course communicate with the Committee about the points raised.

As regards the Committee's observations on prison facilities, I might add that measures are already being taken to address these issues and improve conditions in our prisons. The Programme for Government contains several commitments aimed at alleviating overcrowding, upgrading and improving facilities including in-cell sanitation, and to consider alternatives to custody which are available and can be used. On taking up office, I established a committee to review the Thornton project, to examine the need for adequate prison accommodation and to consider alternatives to custody. The Committee is due to report by 1 July and I look forward to considering their views.

Moreover, I previously informed the House that I intend to bring forward amendments to the Prison Rules, 2007 which will address issues raised by the Committee and the Inspector of Prisons in the areas of complaint investigation, health care and deaths in custody.

One of the first Bills I brought before this House was the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Bill. It will require judges to consider imposing Community Service in any case where the appropriate sentence would otherwise be a custodial one of up to 12 months imprisonment. I have also asked my officials to look at a scheme where suitable long term prisoners might have the last period of their custodial sentence replaced by a form of Community Service.

On the Magdalen Laundries, the Committee "recommended that the State should institute prompt, independent, and thorough investigations into all allegations of torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that were allegedly committed in the Magdalen Laundries and, in appropriate cases, prosecute and punish the perpetrators with penalties commensurate with the gravity of the offences committed, and ensure that all victims obtain redress and have an enforceable right to compensation including the means for as full rehabilitation as possible".

You will be aware that the Government made an announcement in relation to this matter yesterday.