Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Our prison system has traditionally operated on the basis of slopping out, which I regard as unacceptable. I reiterate that no Minister holding my office acted as decisively as I have to bring the practice to an end. I welcome support for ending it but regard it as slightly ironic that every step I have taken to do so has been criticised viciously by those who now huff and puff about their worry regarding the cost to taxpayers.

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