Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have. There has been a scaling back. We discussed this at the time, not here in the committee but with the military leadership, and there is a desire generally that we would scale back - if not end - the entire provision. Given numbers and so on, we need to consider the optimum deployment of the Defence Forces and as the Deputy has correctly pointed out, the requirement now at Portlaoise Prison is no longer what it was. Already this year, there has been a reduction in the numbers of military personnel. It is down to very low numbers now actually and I see that probably ending in the course of this year. Obviously, there are discussion to be had with the Department of Justice but the Deputy is correct in his analysis. The change has started and there has been a significant scaling down already. I am not au fait with the building and its potential use subsequently but the Deputy probably has ideas himself on that matter.