Senator McCarthy mentioned the proposal to close two prisons and to remove two more from prison service control. I expect we will know in the afternoon what will happen to those two prisons. He also referred to the privatisation of the prison escort service and the fear of industrial action. I tried to get more information on the matter this morning, but the Minister was at a Cabinet meeting and I did not see him when he left it. I expect a formal statement will be made. I understand the Senator comes from a constituency where there is great interest in this issue. However, we must await clarification from the Minister. The Senator also wanted to know what had happened to the proposed extra 2,000 gardaí. The Minister said in this House that the extra gardaí would be brought in before the end of the Government's five-year term. Senator Brian Hayes also commented on the election commitment by the Minister for Health and Children to reduce waiting lists although he acknowledged the Minister regretted saying this.