Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I support the amendment. The Tánaiste will recall that we discussed this matter on Committee Stage and if I recall correctly, the potential problem was if there was adverse comment, the Minister of the day would have to ensure proper constitutional function and people would have a right to respond. Legal advice might be needed in regard to expunging part of the report, and then there would be a question of whether it would be the same inspector's report. This was the experience in at least one report that was delayed.

The Oireachtas would understand if there was a reason for a delay, but there must be some timeframe in law. Otherwise my experience has been that Departments take it less seriously if there is no binding statutory provision that a report be presented to the Houses, or a reason be given for it not being presented. Often these issues fall off the agenda and important matters are not brought into the full light of day in a timely manner.

What the Tánaiste intends in this legislation is to have an annual report conducted in good time and presented to him in good time on a regular basis. The final step is to have the report published in good time on a regular basis. One would know there is a certain month in the year when the report of the inspector of prisons would be published.

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