Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it has ever occurred that a member of a prison visiting committee has been removed from their position before their period on such committee has expired; the legislative provisions under which such removals can take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23579/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Members of prison visiting committees are appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform under section 2 of the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 for a period not exceeding three years. At the end of their term of appointment, their membership of the committee automatically lapses but they may be either re-appointed for a further term or replaced by new members.

The information requested by the Deputy as to whether a member of a visiting committee has ever been removed would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort to research and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. However, I am not aware of any visiting committee member being removed, without their consent, before their period of appointment has expired, in recent years. The removal of any visiting committee member would involve legal consultation with the Office of the Attorney General as each such case would depend on its individual circumstances.