Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the completion date of the mandate for the visiting committee of each prison; his plans for the future appointment of such committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34976/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A Visiting Committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order, 1925. There are currently 14 Visiting Committees - one for each institution.

While dates of appointment vary, members of Committees are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality for a term not exceeding three years. At the end of their term, their membership of the Committee automatically lapses but they may be either re-appointed for a further term or replaced by new members.

As for the future, I announced plans some time ago to strengthen the independent oversight of our prisons. Under new legislation to be prepared, I intend to make Visiting Committees more effective while they continue their role of visiting prisons, meeting with prisoners, and liaising on their behalf with prison authorities. The arrangements for membership of the Committees will be changed and a link will be established between the Visiting Committees and the Inspector of Prisons.