Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

It would be wrong to say that a riot in Mountjoy or any other prison occurred as a result of overcrowding. I have received strong information to the effect that as a result of the tightened security arrangements that apply in respect of those entering and leaving prisons, tensions have arisen among inmates because it is no longer possible to smuggle what used to be smuggled into prisons. The Government and the Prison Service should be complimented in respect of this matter.

The position in respect of Mountjoy is a cause of concern to the Government. That is they reason we have increased the number of spaces dramatically. As already stated, I am not satisfied to wait for the Thornton Hall project because I am of the view that it will take a couple of years to complete. It must be stated that our efforts in respect of the original project at Thornton Hall were opposed at every turn by those on the other side of the House. I would like the facility at Thornton Hall to come on stream sooner rather than later.

As I informed the staff of my Department and of the Prison Service, it is extremely important that we deal with this matter on a short and medium-term basis. It is for this reason that the Prison Service has been given authority to proceed with the provision, hopefully in the not too distant future, of 300 additional places at the Portlaoise midlands complex. In the short term, 200 additional places are expected to come on stream at Wheatfield Prison and at the separation unit in Mountjoy. We will keep the situation under review. I am of the opinion that there must there must be an interim solution as well as the long-term solution that is Thornton Hall.

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