PRISON SPACE

Sir, Your newspaper recently quoted the Minister for Justice as saying that more prison space was not the answer to the present…

Sir, Your newspaper recently quoted the Minister for Justice as saying that more prison space was not the answer to the present crime etc, situation. She was also quoted as saying that it was regrettable that some people on temporary release re offended. In January last year, your newspaper quoted the same Minister as supporting a referendum to change the bail laws.

There appears to me both irony and contradiction in these positions. There also appears to be an element of obstruscation involved. It is evident that she wishes to do that which she cannot change "the bail laws and will not do what she, can curtail or halt temporary releases, except of course in the cases of those convicted of paramilitary offences who were expected to be released before Christmas.

It is time now for the Minister to get off whatever fence or pot on which she is sitting, and state what she can and will do to deal with the situation before it gets, beyond her capacity. Yours, etc., Station Road, Ennis, Co Clare.