Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I have spoken to Mr. Webster and to the official in the Irish Prison Service to whom Mr. Dillon wrote and I am quite satisfied that Mr. Dillon contacted them on his own initiative and without any prompting from the Irish Prison Service, or anyone representing or advising the Irish Prison Service.

The lands at Thornton were only 2,500 yards away from the Coolquay site and were being offered at a price per acre of just two thirds that which had previously been agreed for the Coolquay site. In a meeting on 12 January 2005, Mr. Webster informed Mr. David Byers, Commissioner of Public Works, who was a member of the site selection committee, of his discussions with the owner of the Thornton Hall site and his advisers. Mr. Byers gave him approval to negotiate a purchase of the property subject to title, contract and ministerial and Cabinet approval, on the basis that the approval was likely to be forthcoming given the comparisons with the Coolquay property which had already been approved. This was a site of approximately 150 acres at less than €200,000 per acre, compared with 100 acres at €320,000 per acre.

It is true that the owner of the Coolquay property subsequently wrote to Mr. Webster on 14 January 2005 indicating that his tax position had not yet been confirmed by the Revenue Commissioners and if he had an early decision he would decide which "strategy to take". I am informed by Mr. Webster and the Irish Prison Service and the members of the committee that at no time did he indicate the Coolquay site was again available to the Irish Prison Service for purchase. On the previous day——

See this speech in context