Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan has rejected a call to take from him the power of granting temporary release to certain prisoners, including those serving life sentences for murder.
In its annual report today, the Parole Board, which advises the Minister on the administration of sentences in certain cases referred to it, called for the power to grant temporary release to be taken from the Government.
Speaking at an event in Dublin to mark the publication of the report, Mr Lenihan noted its finding that the largest single category of prisoners coming up for review are those serving life sentences for murder.
"As you will be aware a number of cases by life sentenced prisoners are currently before the courts," he said.
"For that reason it would not be appropriate for me today to make public comment on the issues raised in the individual cases. However, what I would say - and say very clearly - is that my strong view is that the executive [the Government] must retain the unfettered right to make the final decisions in such cases and I as Minister will exercise that right in a fair and impartial manner having regard to all the factors, including the view of the Parole Board."
Mr Lenihan added: "Previous judgments in the Irish Courts have found that the management of prison sentences is a matter for the Executive and the State is vigorously upholding this view in the current litigation. I will say no more on the issue at this time."
The Minister said any parole system has to balance "humanity, justice and the public interest".
"Key issues of consideration in deciding whether to grant early release to any prisoner, particularly those serving long sentences, include the risk of re-offending and the safety of the general public," he said.
"I know that the expertise which the members of the board, led by Dr [Gordon] Holmes, bring to the discussions in this office seek to balance these competing concerns. The advisory function which is exercised diligently by the board is a very important part of the process."
Mr Lenihan also said he had asked his Department to look urgently at what is the best and quickest way to get a victims' support agency up and running effectively.
"This agency, which in due course will be underpinned by legislation, will be fully resourced and staffed and its core mandate will be to champion the rights of victims of crime. I will be making an announcement in this regard in the not too distant future," the Minister said.
On the issue of prisoner rehabilitation, the Minister said he was of the view that "we need to redouble our efforts" in order to assist prisoners to return to society "with the best chance of leading law abiding and self supporting lives after release".
He said that is why the new Programme for Government placed renewed emphasis on this area.
"We must do more and we will."
"Prison is an expensive option and we must do all we can in a planned and targeted way to ensure that we work with prisoners to assist them upon release. I will be pursuing this with the Director General of the Irish Prison Service and my Department."
Mr Lenihan yesterday announced new security measures for prisons, including the introduction of sniffer dogs and x-ray scanners for all people visiting prisons.
This followed the stabbing to death of a prisoner in a row at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin on Monday evening.