Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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929. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the mandatory life sentence for murder should be increased in duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35482/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The mandatory penalty for murder is life imprisonment. A sentence of life imprisonment means that the prisoner is subject to that sentence for the rest of his or her life. Such prisoners have no right to be released early at any stage. If granted temporary release, the prisoner remains subject to the life sentence and can be recalled to prison at any stage. Accordingly, it is not possible to increase the duration of a life sentence.