Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his remarks. It seems to me that the Minister is really saying that there is no category excluded per se but that the usual eligibility criteria, in terms of assessment, management and care, will be employed. It is so that prisoners are not released cold into the community without some temporary release being availed of. The measure prepares prisoners for release and safeguards the public.

With regard to the request for the Minister to meet a delegation to discuss a concern about so-called lifers, I shall speak to the Minister about it. I shall forward the request and then I will contact the Senators.