Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My final question is mostly for the Probation Service. It is about an issue that presents occasionally. It is very likely it was covered earlier and, if so, that is fine. In circumstances where someone with a high profile committed sexual offences and there is media commentary, it sometimes becomes an issue of controversy based on a phantom in communities or inaccurate rumours. It is an issue that presents itself every so often. A big part of the solution needs to be around education and perhaps more responsible conduct by the media. It is not immediately obvious to me, although it might be to others, what the right environment is for somebody coming out of prison who is known to have committed certain offences. If people move into external communities that they are not familiar with and the public becomes aware it creates controversy, difficulty and a threat to the welfare of offenders. If offenders return to their home communities, it is possible the victims are in the area and they could come into contact or a confrontation could arise. I do not ask the question from the position of having a preconceived notion. When these controversies arise I am not entirely sure where the ideal location or setting is for people when they have been released for prison.