Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister read the reports in the Irish Examiner about Cork Prison around the Christmas period, which referred to the frustration of the governor that judges continue to send prisoners to the jail for non-payment of fines, which is farcical because sometimes people are released on the same day, or stay overnight or for a few days, which causes real problems.

Committee members visited Cork Prison as part of the preparation for the report on penal reform and we saw for ourselves the situation there. We welcome the new prison development that is long overdue. How will the Minister specifically implement the five recommendations over the lifetime of the Government? It is rare that one would have a proposal that would make society better, yet would cost less money in the long term. We would save money if we could reduce the level of incarceration in prisons by one third over ten years, introduce community service, a far more sensible way of dealing with minor offences, and have resources to help people and prevent recidivism. It would be remarkable to have a proposal to save taxpayers’ money in the medium term and it would be better for society. I wish to know how the Minister will implement the five proposals.

See this speech in context