Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 4, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following:

"(h) any representations made by or on behalf of the person,".

I retabled this amendment because I believe this provision should be included in the Bill. Senator Henry said during the Second Stage debate that a person might have something to say about why temporary release might be good for a prisoner. The current position is limited in terms of sentence management. It is a positive step for a prisoner to be granted temporary release for education purposes or to gain work experience. The provision proposed would be an important inclusion in the legislation. Surely the person concerned, who will be the subject of the temporary release, should be able to make representations on his or her behalf which should be considered because the purpose of the temporary release is to assist the prisoner concerned. I would be interested to hear the Minister of State's view.