Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I do not know which victims wish or do not wish to be contacted. I do know that some do not wish to be contacted. The effect of the Senator's amendment would be that I or the Minister would have to notify every victim thereby causing some victims unintentional hurt. This is not the place where this particular issue can be raised. I made clear that there is a practice in the Department that a victim can ask the Prison Service, through the prisons' victims liaison officer to be notified if a person is to receive temporary release. It is an important issue. I am glad the Senator tabled the amendment if it gives us an opportunity to point out that this is the practice and that the facility is there. There is merit in Senator Walsh's proposal that there should be some legal mechanism when the offender is sentenced whereby the victim can be advised of this facility. However, I do not think it can be addressed in this legislation. It does not arise under a temporary release Bill.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.