Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Waters for his very comprehensive statement on the matter and we have a fair idea of all of this. Despite the description given by Mr. Waters of how it happened, it seems to have been a flawed project from the very beginning. It started not as an extension of Mountjoy Prison, but as a replacement for it whereby it would be demolished. The cost began at €150 million, and the cost of purchasing it was to be partly met by the sale of Shanganagh Castle. The sale of Shanganagh Castle meant the only open prison in Ireland was closed down. Part of the final recommendations on Thornton Hall was the inclusion of a 200 unit open prison. Shanganagh Castle, which was an open prison, had already been sold off for €29 million. Mr. Waters said open prisons are very expensive, but they are part of the rehabilitation process.