Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the figures of 1,400 and 2,200, as I said on Committee Stage, we were expected to give a worst case scenario on the ultimate capacity of the prison for the environmental impact statement. It is not the intention for the foreseeable to go beyond the capacity of 1,400 prisoners, with single cell occupancy. This may occur in exceptional circumstances. Mountjoy Prison was designed for a certain number but 150 years later it holds many more people.

The Government has given approval to proceed on Oberstown. If that is not finished in time, rather than continuing to incarcerate the 16 year old and 17 year old offenders in St. Patrick's Institution, it would be better to have them housed separately within one of the units in Thornton Hall when it is up and running.

If this Bill is passed, the negotiations with the preferred bidder can proceed. The preferred bidder is McNamara, Barclays Private Equity and GSL, which is part of Group 4 Securicor. If Oireachtas approval is given this week, negotiations will be finalised and construction will start in the latter part of the year. It is expected that construction would start immediately and the prison would be ready for occupancy in 2011.

It is unfair that Deputy Rabbitte referred to a civil servant who is not here to defend himself. I understand this has been the convention. As I stated, Deputy Rabbitte may state he did not attack him but I had messages from the particular civil servant and I understand the Deputy has been putting a spin on what he stated.

See this speech in context