Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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297. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 28 June 2018, if he will provide a copy of the respective formal notices of appointment by him of the four named governors in his reply to the statutory position of governor of Portlaoise Prison. [30128/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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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."

All Governors are assigned by the Director with responsibility for Human Resources of the Irish Prison Service in consultation with the Director General. Both operate on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality. It has never been the practice of Ministers to publish notifications to named individuals of their appointments within the Department or in the agencies under its remit.

In relation to the four Governors named in the question, I am informed that the position is as follows. 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.