Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Senators for the debate on this Bill and for the helpful amendments brought forward in this House. The Senators will realise that not only did I accept amendments in the House but I also indicated that I would accept amendments brought forward in the other House based on remarks made by Senators in this House. The Bill was published last November and it has been moved through both Houses quickly, for which I am grateful. I am grateful to my officials for the way in which they transformed the earlier Bill which was abandoned in favour of this Bill.

As I previously stated, this legislation is a significant step forward in the modernisation of our prison service and I intend to commence the Act at the earliest possible date; 1 May is my target date. The provisions dealing with planning and the new inspector of prisons will be commenced shortly. The provisions dealing with a new appeal regime and with miscellaneous matters, including the conducting of hearings by videolink, will need a short lead-in time to put the necessary structures in place but should be commenced in the coming months. I am confident that the provisions of the Bill will result in significant improvement and reform in our prisons. I am grateful to Members of the House for their constructive input to this legislation.