Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if sections 15 and 16 of the Prisons Act 2007 have been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17840/08]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has made an appointment under Section 16(3) of the Prisons Act 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17841/08]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if appeals have taken place under section 16 of the Prisons Act 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17842/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 to 539, inclusive, together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that sections 15 and 16 of the Prisons Act, 2007 were commenced on the 1st of October 2007. These sections provide a mechanism whereby prisoners can make an appeal to an independent tribunal against a decision by the prison authorities to impose a disciplinary penalty involving a loss of remission for a breach of prison regulations.

Section 16(3) of the Act provides that the Minister may appoint practising barristers or solicitors of not less than seven years' standing to the Tribunal and, in that regard, the following six appointments have been made:

Mr Richard Humphreys,

Ms Teresa Lowe,

Mr Nehru Pillay,

Mr Michael Moloney,

Mr Charles Corcoran and

Mr Noel Devitt

A total of four appeals have been made by prisoners to date and arrangements are being made for hearings to be held in the coming weeks.