Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleagues who have spoken on the prison issue, in particular the comments of the previous speaker. One of the structures which has traditionally been in place to monitor, observe and make recommendations in each place of detention, is the prison visiting committee. Traditionally, such committees were unfortunately seen by many as beneficiaries of political patronage and their full value was not obtained.

When we have a discussion on the broad issue of our prisons we should reflect on the role of the prison visiting committees. Perhaps we should also recommend to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, of which I am a member, that each prison visiting committee should attend every year to give a report on its activities and monitoring of the prison in question.

I had intended to raise No. 19, whereby the Seanad is being asked to note a report of the finance committee on the principles of acceptance by public bodies of recommendations of the Ombudsman. I trust the Seanad is noting that report rather than debating it. Keeping in mind this issue of acceptance by public bodies of recommendations by the Ombudsman, will the Leader make efforts to inquire what is happening to the Lost at Sea report? That report was debated in this and the other House, and there was a special report to the Oireachtas committee by the Ombudsman, one of only three such reports made since the foundation of the Office of the Ombudsman in the 1980s. We would be very remiss in our duty if we did not put maximum pressure on all concerned to ensure the Ombudsman's special report is enacted. If we are to treat with respect the Office of the Ombudsman we must take note of that special report. Will the Leader make further inquiries of the relevant Department in this regard? We are duty bound because of what all of us in this House said previously. That we have changed where we sit in the Chamber does not change the issue. We are duty bound to act positively in response to the special report of the Ombudsman.