Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

It is welcome that the review of the Thornton Hall project will be completed by 1 July. The Minister mentioned some of the recommendations made in the report. Obviously, they cannot be implemented because of the overcrowded conditions. I appreciate that legislation has been introduced to provide for community service orders and similar measures that would reduce the number of prisoners in the system. Does the Minister agree that it is imperative that we have a safe environment in our prisons? In particular, we need to provide drug-free support units in all prisons. We must do everything we can to ensure prisoners have the resources they need to kick any drug habits they may have.

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