Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality visited St. Patrick's Institution and Mountjoy Prison at the end of October. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the governor of Mountjoy, Mr. Edward Whelan, and his staff for the transformation they have overseen in recent years. I am pleased this work will continue.

However, there is a missed opportunity in the postponement of the construction of Thornton Hall. The Minister has indicated that the project may be considered in the future. While several large-scale capital projects under the remit of the Department of Health, for example, have been given the go ahead, this flagship prison accommodation project did not escape the cull. A great chance has thereby been lost to reform the prison system. Is the project dead or does the Minister envisage it commencing in the next three to four years? Is any review planned in this regard?

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