Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McCabe for her openness on this delicate and sensitive issue. We appreciate the work in which she is involved in a constantly evolving environment, which hopefully is evolving in the right direction. I have two questions. The ombudsman referenced the importance of cross-community representation among prison officers, as it is conducive to a more positive environment. How important is balanced cross-community representation in the recruitment of prison officers, if they are being recruited at present? Second, having read the United Kingdom commission's proposal on a Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom, I noted there were many references to prisoners' rights. One of the outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement is a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. How important is a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland in respect of prisoners' rights and the work in which the ombudsman is involved?