Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware that the Irish Penal Reform Trust is strongly opposed to solitary confinement. The trust points out that there may be a level of restriction which, rather than solving administrative problems, becomes a mental health issue and creates a further problem for prison administration. Surely solitary confinement is an inadequate response both in terms of the administration of prisons and the well-being of prisoners.

Deputy Clare Daly and I visited Portlaoise prison during the summer where we met the governor, Mr. Martin Mullen, with whom both of us were very impressed. Does the Minister intend to proceed with plans to install in-cell sanitation at the prison? I understand this badly needed work may have been shelved owing to a lack of funds.

See this speech in context