Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 67, in my name, proposes to insert a new section 21 in the Bill to set out the arrangements for consideration for parole. I think it accommodates many of the concerns that have been set out this morning. I am proposing that someone who has been refused parole should be allowed to apply again after two years, or at an earlier date after a "shorter period as the Board may direct". This amendment also takes on board many of Deputy Wallace's concerns about having applications dealt with "as soon as reasonably practicable" and gives the parole board a certain degree of leeway by allowing it to make "rules for the purpose of enabling this section to have full effect". I ask Deputies to support the amendment.