Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As is my normal style, I will address the issue directly. First, the Senator puts the position of the Ombudsman very fairly. We have had dialogue and in our discussions and communications, she would prefer to have every public body under her remit. This is groundbreaking legislation and the Ombudsman is very supportive of it and wants it to be enacted. It encompasses a huge swathe of new authorities and agencies that would come within her remit. It will be highly demanding for her and for her staff and as the Senator is aware, rationalisations are also being made in respect of back-office support in the Office of the Ombudsman by agreement with her. This is important legislation that goes a long way. Consequently, the net issue is whether the Prison Service should be part of the Ombudsman's remit. We debated that issue fairly last week. I would need to hear a compelling reason to exclude anyone from it and for that reason, my Department has been in dialogue with the Department of Justice and Equality, as well as every other line Departments in respect of each agency that either has been brought in or excluded and I note there are very few exclusions. On the last occasion, I explained the reason the Prison Service and the prisons are excluded and I will do so again briefly. However, I also wish to mention the report because I am as shocked as I believe was everyone else regarding the report on St. Patrick's Institution. It is quite shocking but is a testament to the effectiveness of the prisons inspectorate.