Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I move amendment No. 16:

In page 14, lines 28 and 29, to delete “Officer may, where they are satisfied, in relation to a relevant offender, that it is necessary to do so,” and substitute the following: “Officer—

(a) shall, prior to the release of the offender from prison or place of detention, and

(b) may, where they are satisfied, in relation to a relevant offender, that it is necessary to do so,”.

This amendment places an obligation on the Garda and the Probation Service to review every planned release from prison and to determine if a risk assessment management team needs to be established, based on the risk of the individual in question reoffending. I accept this amendment may not be drafted as effectively as it should be, but that is why the Minister has a drafting team and I do not. The principle behind what I am seeking is that an obligation should be placed on the Garda and the Probation Service to assess each individual prior to his or her release to determine if a risk assessment management team needs to be established. I ask that the legislation reflect this.