Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for a comprehensive reply. For most of us it would seem a bit odd that such a significant service as the Irish Prison Service is not a statutory agency like most other analogous institutions in the State. The Irish Prison Service has 3,500 staff and a budget of €400 million. It is a very significant and important agency. Obviously we can debate the Minister's proposals when they are published and brought before us here. Prison and the structure of prisons and penal policy in this country are extremely important issues. In terms of the legislation, I hope the Minister will give the greatest possible time to these Houses, particularly the justice committee, to look in detail at the structure of this legislation to make sure the new director general is fully accountable and amenable to interact with these Houses

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