6th November 2003
162 - 171. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if representatives from his Department or the Irish Prison Service have visited facilities or services owned or operated by a company (details supplied); if so, the locations and dates on which; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of such visits. [25985/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 to 171, inclusive, together.
Representatives from my Department visited Securicor at Sutton near London on 7 February 2000 and Group 4 at Broadway, Worcester, UK on 8 February 2000 on an operational information gathering basis. No further contact was made following the visits. No visits have been made to the other organisations listed.\
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.