Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, and thank the Minister, Deputy McDowell, for his presentation. Not alone will he be a reforming Minister but a dedicated one also. The Prison Visiting Committee Act was introduced in 1925 by the then Minister, Deputy Kevin O'Higgins. It was set up to be an independent prison watchdog on behalf of the public and a defender of offenders' rights. Senators Walsh and Kitt have outlined the areas covered by the Act and I am satisfied that the needs of prisoners are met and understood.