Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Even to me, as a member of the justice committee, I must admit some of the figures Ms Ní Chinnéide outlined were a bit startling. That nearly half of prisoners are sharing cells, that nearly half of them do not have access to a private toilet facility, that there is such a high number held in solitary confinement, and that 30 prisoners with serious mental health conditions are correctly awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital is truly shocking.

I have just a couple of questions. Ms Ní Chinnéide spoke about prison conditions. For all its faults, HIQA's remit does not currently apply to prison health services. Do the delegates believe it would be positive if the remit of HIQA were extended to cover prisons?

In the additional documentation provided by the delegates, it is stated the number of community service orders has fallen every year since 2012 but that the number of people being committed to prison is increasing. Can the delegates shed any light on the reason for that?

My final question is on the need for community-based sanctions and their cost. Is there any research on the investment that would be needed in order to introduce a system based on a model of best practice?

Ms Ní Chinnéide mentioned Deputy O'Callaghan's Parole Bill, which is on Committee Stage. I published a sentencing council Bill last week. The issue of bail will be discussed this evening in the Oireachtas. Rather than decreasing the number of people who will be committed to prison prior to their sentence, the bail Bill we will be discussing tonight will increase the number of people likely to be committed to prison. Has the delegation any comment on that?