The Dáil approved a motion setting up a commission of investigation into the death of Gary Douch, who was found dead in a cell in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin last August.
Minister of State for Finance Tom Parlon, standing in for the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said a detailed sworn investigation was essential to address matters of public importance.
"The gravity of the matter is such that the Minister and his Government colleagues are of the view that a full statutory commission of investigation is required to address the matter."
The indications were, the Dáil was told, that Mr Douch, who had expressed concern for his safety, had died as a result of an assault in the cell by a prisoner who was also there for his protection.
Mr Parlon said that Gráinne McMorrow, an experienced senior counsel with a background in mental health and criminal law, and experience of both the UK and Irish systems, would be the sole member of the commission. He said an individual had recently been charged with Mr Douch's death. His death should not have happened, Mr Parlon said.
"It is the prerogative of this House to approve the establishment of a commission of investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding his death and to find out what went wrong and what needs to be done in the future to prevent a recurrence of such an event.
"I strongly believe that a commission of investigation is warranted in this case."
Mr Parlon said the Minister had made it clear that he was not happy with the conditions in Mountjoy.
"On becoming Minister in 2002, one of Mr McDowell's first official engagements was to visit Mountjoy Prison. The Minister said that it was an eye opener. He found a Victorian prison, built in 1850, in a poor state of repair, overcrowded and lacking adequate facilities such as in-cell sanitation."
Phil Hogan (FG, Carlow-Kilkenny) expressed support for the setting up of the commission, while criticising Mr McDowell's record.
"In political terms, since he took office in 2002, and the electorate will adjudicate on this in the next three weeks, he will be seen to have presided over a justice system that has experienced a massive increase in murder rates, an inability to tackle gangland drug barons head-on and falling crime detection rates."
