Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Yes, apart from the tower, which, in the nice little diagrams provided for Members, does not appear. Members do not know the tower's height and it is not included in the illustrations provided by the Minister.

The information possessed by Members is inaccurate in itself. The list of questions and details that have been provided by residents in that area show its inaccuracy and the environmental impact assessment that was carried out did not include the entire site and the surrounding areas. It did not cover two of the prison's four sides or the local drainage scheme. While the Minister's officials stated there is no flooding in the area, photographs exist to prove otherwise. The assessment did not cover a local well that provides the water supply for a local equestrian centre because it does not exist, according to the Minister's adviser.

This entire matter is farcical from start to finish. It is a living disgrace that the House is being asked to act as a planning authority with insufficient detail for Members to make an opinion as to whether the House can sign up to something and whether value for money can be achieved. Moreover, alternatives to incarceration or prison policy in itself have not been considered. Although these constitute broad areas of discussions that have not taken place in the House, a monstrous prison is being planned.

See this speech in context