Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Last week I asked for a debate on the Prison Service following the publication of the prison visiting committee report but since then I have discovered that the annual report of the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention has also been published. Both reports make interesting reading and it would be of immense benefit to us to hear the views of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform thereon. The Connect project, which was discontinued three years ago, had great advantages and one in three of those who attended the course in prison gained employment upon release, which was much better than previous initiatives. It would be useful if the Minister explained the reports to us and if we had the opportunity to comment on them.