Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I aspire to staying a few more nights there at some stage. I agree with Senator Mansergh in that it is a pity that public procurement of land, especially when there is no CPO power attached to it, and even when there is, ends up with the taxpayer paying top dollar. That is the society in which we live. There is no easy alternative way of doing business without causing much reaction.

The Dóchas Centre is a fine prison building but is already overcrowded. As Minister, I know people are being released early because there is a lack of space. All medical bays, etc., are being used by prisoners already there. Some rooms not intended for the accommodation of prisoners are already being used. The building is too small. Unfortunately, drugs are introduced into the Dóchas Centre over the wall. As enlightened as the building's architecture may be, its location allows drugs to be thrown over the wall into fine open spaces.