Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This has been a very positive debate. I welcome the Minister to the House and wish her well in what will be a difficult and challenging task. I have no doubt that the people who made the choices knew of her ability and record. I wish her well in what will be difficult times ahead. Having looked at the Bill and listened to the contributions to the debate, I welcome the legislation before the House. While it is a minor step, it is progressive and it marks the beginning of the modernisation of the justice system. There are issues, and we must always be careful when we change systems, but the administration of justice is important and there must always be equal access to it. I welcome the first and initial steps towards the modernisation of the application of the justice system under the Minister. I also welcome the appointments of temporary coroners in certain and exceptional circumstances set out in the Bill.I know the importance of the video links. As somebody who has served on various prison authorities, I know the practical difficulties that can arise, particularly with Covid-19. There was mention of Covid-19 and prisons and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work done in this respect. It did not just happen overnight and there was a long lead-in to dealing with infectious diseases and health concerns. Our prison staff, throughout the system, put processes in place long before Covid-19 had been heard of. It is an amazing example of how the Prison Service came together, dealt with the matter and prepared for eventualities like Covid-19. I acknowledge that work.

Of course, there have been difficulties and the Minister is aware of them. For example, people get temporary release on special grounds, and such cases present challenges to the Minister and the prison system. These are exceptional times and circumstances and the processes are being used correctly. I do not detect that this pandemic is being used against prisoners. There is a public health matter at the heart of this. I know this because people have contacted me because the Minister has ultimately had to refuse cases of possible temporary release, even for a day, in special family circumstances. The Covid-19 virus affects the logic of this. I acknowledge the difficulty it has placed on the Minister and the governors of the various prisons. We must also consider the complexities of justice and all that goes with it.

This is the beginning of a modernisation process and I generally support it. I will wrap up on that point as I will speak to section 1 on a later Stage. I do not know if the Minister has considered the amendments or if we will hear from her later. I am interested in her considered response to the amendments before the House.