Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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357. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture protocol. [5667/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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358. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the preparations she has made in relation to setting up an inspection mechanism for all places of detention, as required under the United Nations Convention against Torture. [5668/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.

The Deputy is referring the OPCAT or Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

Ireland is a signatory to the protocol and will ratify it, once the necessary legislation is in place to provide for National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect places of detention for the purposes of the protocol.

As part of the process of identifying the appropriate NPMs, consultation with civil society, including a wide range of statutory bodies and agencies, non governmental organisations and academics with an interest in the topic is underway. An Open Policy Debate hosted by the Department of Justice and Equality in November 2015 provided an opportunity for the various parties to come together and discuss options for NPMs. Building on this, proposals are being further developed to facilitate the ratification of the OPCAT.