A prison governor says conjugal visits should be considered for inmates in Irish jails.
Unlike many other countries, prisoners here have no right to time with their partners.
It comes as inmates await news about whether they have made the list of more than 200 who will get temporary release for Christmas.
Colm Bartley is governor of Wheatfield Prison in Dublin's Clondalkin and he believes conjugal visits are a reasonable idea.
Mr Bartley said: "I think realistically speaking that we should consider it.
"Sex is a natural thing so people will try and engage in sex whatever environment they are in so why not facilitate that in a structured manner."