Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The level of protection envisaged by the Senator's amendments in primary statutory form is more demanding than that provided for in regard to prison officers. Prison officers are bound by prison rules and by the terms of their appointment. They are not set out in statutory form. I do not see why we should assume that somebody who will conduct transport functions should have a higher standard of behaviour imposed on him or her by primary law than is imposed on prison officers generally. Furthermore, the condition of the certificate is that any custody officer would have to comply with any prison rules relating to the treatment of prisoners. I cannot imagine what new or higher standards would be provided for that is not already provided for under prison rules.