Parliamentary Question: Prison Rules

21st February 2002

122. Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to amend the prison regulations of 1947 relating to persons in prison for contempt of court; and his proposals to ensure that those sentenced for contempt meet the cost incurred by taxpayers as a consequence of their imprisonment. [6179/02]
 
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): A revision of the Rules for the Government of Prisons, 1947, including those rules relating to persons committed for contempt of court, has been under way in my Department for some time. Proposed new prison rules are currently with the law officers for drafting. The suggestion that persons detained in prison for contempt of court should meet the cost of their imprisonment would be a major change in existing practice which has been in place for decades. Any such change would require very careful consideration and this will be done in the context of finalising the new rules.