Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Parole Bill 2016 and commend Deputy O'Callaghan on bringing it forward. It is welcome legislation which is very practical and sensible and is not very controversial. It brings about a change which has been debated, discussed and sought for many years. It is very welcome and I am glad there is support across the House for it. It puts the Parole Board on a statutory footing, which is welcome given that it provides clarity and transparency. Citizens, those working in the legal system and the parole system and prisoners going through the system will know where they stand and how the system operates. It allows the Parole Board to be fully independent of political interference, which is welcome. The Bill clarifies the law in this area and helps us support a proper balance between the protection of the public, which is of key importance to every Member, and the upholding of the rights of prisoners who are sentenced.

The fact the Parole Board has not been on a statutory basis has meant the recommendations or advice of the board was just a recommendation or advice to the Minister who could do with it as he or she pleased.

I recognise that more than 80% of recommendations were accepted but this still vests a great deal of power in one individual and in the Cabinet which is never a good thing, particularly when dealing with issues of liberty that affect the lives of our citizens. The removal of that element of power is very much welcome. More fundamentally, people were uncomfortable that a member of the Cabinet was making decisions in respect of matters that were originally decided by the Judiciary. That trespasses on the separation of powers and the line was getting blurred in this regard, a view that was shared by many. The ad hocbasis on which parole is granted is an outdated way of operating an important aspect of our criminal justice system.

I very much welcome the victims of crime element of the legislation. That can never be lost because behind every person's sentence is a crime and those affected by it. The victims deserve to be heard and have their views taken on board by the Parole Board. It is vitally important in ensuring citizens that their rights will be vindicated, that justice will continue to be served and that their views will be listened to at all times.

I also welcome the recognition of the rehabilitation element of our justice system whereby we simply do not lock people up and throw away the key and we recognise that people can change with assistance and become proper functioning and contributing members of our society. Rehabilitation must play a role in our justice system, otherwise we will not have served the public's interest in the best way possible.

We had an informal system to deal with a serious matter, which is the problem people had with it. The release of prisoners who had committed serious crimes before the end of their sentences is a crucial issue and it should be dealt with on a statutory basis. That is why we have such good support for the Bill. Seeking to ensure transparency in the way the Parole Board operates is a welcome aspect of the legislation. It is our role as parliamentarians to identify areas in which there is not clarity and transparency in our justice system and to address them. While it may not be the pressing issue of the day and it is not interesting or exciting for people, our work is important in this regard. It is essential to clear up these matters. That is why this is practical legislation, which addresses changes that are necessary in this grey area.

It is good that a Fianna Fáil Bill will proceed to the next Stage and that it has gained cross party support. It demonstrates in this era of new politics, which we have discussed a great deal over the past number of months, that changes are happening and it is important for the public to see that we are making such changes in a positive and practical way that will have an impact outside the Chamber. As a new Deputy, I very much welcome the implementation of these changes. When I meet members of the public, I can point to changes, new politics and the positive changes we are making in this Chamber.

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