Confusion over rights of victims in Bill
As a victims’ group called for clarification, justice officials said the proposed new measures would be brought in under an existing Bill that has been winding its way through the Oireachtas for more than two years.
Junior Minister for Justice Willie O’Dea told a Sunday newspaper that victims will be notified and invited to give submissions in cases where prisoners are being considered for temporary or early release.
Lillian McGovern of Victim Support said it was the first she had heard of this plan, despite her organisation consistently campaigning for victim’s voices to be heard in the parole process.
“We would be interested in finding out more about it and what it actually means,” said Ms McGovern,
Mr O’Dea said the provisions will be included in a Bill to be pushed through the Dáil ahead of the summer recess, despite a full programme in the three weeks before Leinster House closes down once again.
An official from the Justice Department said he was referring to the Temporary Release of Prisoners Bill. The spokesman said victims will be contacted and invited to write to the minister and make their views known.
While the department says this will apply to victims of people being considered for temporary and early release, the Bill going through the Oireachtas refers only to the former and, despite publication in 2001, is still at an early stage.
There is clear difference between temporary release for a day or a weekend and an early release programme drawn up with the help and advice of the parole board.
The Temporary Release of Prisoners Bill was debated in the Dáil last month when it was referred to by the Justice Minister Michael McDowell as a relatively modest bill. Its stated aim is to clarify existing 40-year-old legislation.
During the debate, Fine Gael’s Damien English raised the issue of victims and was not challenged when he said there is no mention of them in the bill.
Mr English said: “Victim’s rights are not mentioned, despite the fact that the National Economic and Social Forum recommended that the victims’ charter should be implemented regarding notification of temporary release,” he said.
