Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity to speak on this new legislation, the Prisons Bill 2015. I warmly welcome the Bill, but I also welcome the opportunity it gives us to look more closely at the prison system and the broader criminal justice system as well and the impact it has on citizens. We must dig down and see how the public is losing confidence in the justice system and the way it is run. The Government must face up to that reality. Something must be done by senior gardaí, who must face up to the problems in the justice system. The Department of Justice and Equality must also face up to the reality of the disconnect between a substantial section of society and the justice system.

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