Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the progress of the Parole Bill 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25783/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government agreed in April 2017 to progress the objective of establishing an independent Parole Board on a statutory footing by focusing on the Deputy's Private Member's Bill, and to bring forward appropriate amendments to the Bill at Report Stage.

As well as providing for the establishment of the new Parole Board, the Bill sets out the criteria to be considered in deciding on the release of prisoners and how the decision to release should be made.

Officials in my Department have been preparing detailed amendments in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government, and in consultation with the Deputy. It is my intention to seek Government approval for these amendments very shortly, with a view to the Bill being brought to this House again for debate before the summer recess.