Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rationale for his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 20 June 2018 in view of the fact that the statutory responsibility outlined under the IPS's own material states that it rests with the campus governor rather than the operational governor. [28478/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The duties of a prison governor are set out in the Prison Rules, 2007. Section 75(1) states that “Subject to the directions of the Minister and the Director General, the Governor shall be responsible for the management of the prison of which he or she is responsible.” Furthermore, Section 75(7) states that “A Governor shall comply with any directions of the Minister or the Director General or such persons as may be designated by the Minister or the Director General.”

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service, having re-examined PQ 129 of 20 June 2018 on the basis of the clarification provided in the Deputy's question, have informed me that the information sought is as set out below. Any confusion caused by the initial misinterpretation of the Deputy's question is regretted.

Statutory responsibility for Portlaoise prison was held by Campus Governor Martin Mullen from 29 July 2012 to 12 December, 2016. From 13 December, 2016 to 30 December, 2016 statutory responsibility rested with the lead operational Governor Daniel Robbins. Ethel Gavin was appointed acting Campus Governor from 31 December, 2016 and held statutory responsibility for Portlaoise prison until 2 June 2018 when it transferred to Governor John Farrell who continues to hold this position.