Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

If we needed any evidence from the Government that it was using the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 to suppress information, it comes in its starkest form from Mr. Justice Kinlen today in his excellent report as the new Inspector of Prisons. He must be congratulated for the very clear, precise and direct way in which he has used the report to highlight deficiencies in the prison service. I put the matter bluntly to the Leader: the Government, through the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is not only giving Mr. Justice Kinlen virtually no support in his new role as Inspector of Prisons but it is trying to suppress the information that he seeks. On several occasions he has asked the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform specific questions about overtime and manpower levels in the service and he has not received answers. This eminent judge, who is doing an excellent job, is being undermined by the Government. This issue merits debate. He is to be congratulated for calling for the demolition of Mountjoy and Portlaoise prisons and for exposing inefficiencies within the service.