Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 4, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following new paragraph:

"(d) any representations made by the victim or next-of-kin of the victim on the proposal to direct the release of the person from prison,".

On Second Stage I discussed the need to strike a balance between the rights of victims as against those of the criminal. I suggested that I would bring forward an amendment on Committee Stage to provide, in particular, for victims to be informed of a proposal for the early release of a prisoner. I hope the Minister of State will now accept this amendment. In dealing with legislation such as this, we must keep victims' rights in mind.