James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a deeply disturbing issue, namely, the report from the prison visiting committee from 2017 relating to female prisoners at the Dóchas detention centre in Dublin in which allegations are made of inappropriate behaviour of male staff towards female prisoners, including withholding certain privileges and items to achieve something about which we can only speculate. This is a very serious issue and the visiting committee recommends that it be investigated by a body that is independent of the Prison Service. It must be ascertained whether these women, many of whom are very vulnerable, are being abused or taken advantage of while in the care of the State. Our history is littered with occasions of abuse of people in vulnerable positions, including women and children. To have this happen in our time is unacceptable. If there is even a hint of awareness of this, it is not acceptable. I am sure it is unacceptable to all Members of this House. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice and Equality to the House to report on this situation and to outline his intentions in terms of addressing what is a very serious concern in our Prison Service.