Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Between 18 and 21 years is the plan. I have to have some segregated facilities for younger offenders there. My intention is to bring the use of St. Patrick's Institution to an end as soon as I can. I cannot do it in the context of not having facilities built at Thornton. That is why this Bill is so important to both of those projects.

See this speech in context