Tony Kett (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him on becoming leader of his party and Tánaiste. I have not seen him since his appointment and wish him well in both posts.

I welcome the Bill. Its explanatory memorandum states, and the Minister has told us, that it will add a number of additional elements to the entire prison structure. The Minister mentioned that the office of an inspector of prisons would be put on a statutory footing, which is a very good idea. I am aware such an office is already in place but is not on a statutory basis. Senator Cummins accused the Minister of running away from change but given that he structured this in such a way that an individual must report to him on an annual basis and present an independent report informing him about what is right and wrong within the prison service is a testament to the fact that he is not afraid to hear bad news if it exists.