Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also acknowledge the importance of this legislation. I thank everybody who made a contribution to the debate this evening on this important Bill, in particular the interesting points raised by Deputies Sherlock, Ó Laoghaire and Connolly. I acknowledge the fact that the subject matter dealt with in the Bill is somewhat complex, difficult and sensitive and the balancing act that is required is also challenging. The Bill seeks to take account both of the perspective of those who have felt the oftentimes devastating effects of crimes committed by long-sentence prisoners and of those who believe that the very worst of us deserves an opportunity to rehabilitate and have at least the prospect of returning some day to the community outside the prison walls.

I especially acknowledge the work of Deputy O'Callaghan in bringing the Bill before the House in the first instance and for his co-operation and the manner in which he has engaged with officials in my Department and getting the Bill to the point where it is now. I also acknowledge the work of the existing Parole Board, which has served us particularly well for a long time. I express my appreciation to the board for its hard work. I saw the chairman of the board, Mr. John Costello, in the precincts of the House not just this afternoon but during the course of the engagement with the Bill. In that regard, I acknowledge the co-operation of the board on the matter of bringing forward the Bill to its current state.

I further acknowledge the role of many other State organisations and NGOs who have also provided their expertise on the Bill but also on issues pertaining to parole generally. The reforms in the Parole Bill are designed to put the operation of the board on an independent statutory footing to ensure that the way the board makes its decisions is open, clear, transparent, fair and at all times is fully informed. The Bill that we have amended today, which was introduced by Deputy O'Callaghan, achieves that aim and I once again commend it to the House.

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