Mr. Peter Tyndall:

I do not particularly want to allocate blame for the delay on the prison issue. It was complex. The intention is to introduce a new complaints process within the prisons and that once that process is in operation, my office would be able to deal with complaints that have not been resolved by the new internal process. There have been issues around drafting the relevant regulations and preparing the investigation report. We have had good engagement with the Prison Service and the Department. One then has the issue of drafters and so on getting engaged. I would not say the delay has been anywhere. It has just been frustrating for me as it is something I would have liked to have seen done by now. My office does not yet have jurisdiction. We are at the point at which the new regulations governing the new internal complaints process are being introduced. It is important that this happens and that the next stage proceeds.