Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

With reference to Mountjoy Prison, is the Minister aware that the capacity is exceeded on a regular basis? Currently, there is a weekly average of 660 inmates in Mountjoy. What are the Minister's views on his statement last year, in consultation with the director of the Irish Prison Service, when the intention was to keep the number at Mountjoy at 600? I remind the Minister of the report of the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, which called for numbers to be kept at 540.

What steps are being taken to deal with the severe overcrowding in Mountjoy that has resulted in the civil courts recently granting damages in excess of €10,000 to persons because they witnessed a riot in Mountjoy? I put it to the Minister that it is completely unacceptable that persons are being awarded civil damages and compensation from the State in that amount as a result of overcrowding in the prison system. When does the Minister propose to deal with the situation in Mountjoy in a way that would be acceptable in the context of the national and international standards that apply in respect of prisons?

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