Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I assume that the intention of this amendment is to provide that, within a certain overall time period – I am not sure how or in what circumstances this would be determined – a prisoner can be granted specific periods, or blocks, of temporary release. Presumably, the Senator is referring to cases where temporary release is granted for specific hours each day and for a specific number of days or weeks to attend a training course. In any event, I am satisfied that the provisions of the Bill which allow for the granting of temporary release for specific purposes and specific periods of time, subject to the relevant conditions that apply, meet such circumstances.

The current wording of the Bill is effective and allows for full flexibility in determining the times and periods for which temporary release is granted and allows that the person may be on a temporary release for a period of a number of days, or on a day to day basis for a number of hours. I do not accept that the amendment gives any added value to the Bill. It may only lead to confusion and, therefore, I do not intend to accept it.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.