Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I wanted to ask two questions, the first of which relates to the mention of phones in the cells and the connections with the Samaritans. Are those phones now open for people to make phone calls? The way the prison system works is that prisoners will get three phone calls per week, etc. Is that opening the door and, if so, what are the security implications of that? I am just curious about that.

There is one other issue, and I am not asking the Irish Prison Service for an answer on it. I know they have spoken about the issue of overcrowding and the need for further prisons. Remember the Coolquay site in north County Dublin, which is sitting there. I do know if that will ever be looked at again. It has been a bone of contention, given the amount of money that was spent on it, etc. I do not know whether that is in the plans of the Irish Prison Service.