Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I suggest the Deputy goes to Mountjoy to see for himself. I spoke to the new Governor and can assure the Deputy that the situation that pertained previously will no longer pertain in that prison because I am assured by the new Governor and management that changes will be and are being made there in the way the prison is being run.

Since the Deputy gave those figures of 70 above the suggested limit of 600 spaces a new block has been opened in Mountjoy Prison where more than 50 people have taken up occupancy. When I was there I saw none of what was mentioned. I had free rein of the prison and complete freedom to speak to any prisoner. Prisoners came up to me and spoke and none of them complained of the conditions. One prisoner said that as far as he was concerned the situation was "reasonable", in the circumstances.

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