Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming here. It is nice to see him and Ms Emer Costello here together. She has acquitted herself very well and was a tour de force.

I thank Senator Kelly for sharing his time with me and allowing me one minute. There should be consultation with Oireachtas Members and the people of Castlerea with regard to the matter. It was brought to my attention by Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice, a local councillor in Castlerea. As I said this morning, a meeting will be held at Tully's Hotel, Castlerea, to discuss the matter. People are genuinely concerned about the matter and fear the unknown. About a year ago, two Romanians escaped from Castlerea Prison. There was no closed circuit television so nobody knows how they got out of the main prison.

People are deeply concerned about Harristown House and would prefer if it was used for rehabilitation again. Mr. Danny Burke, a former councillor, was chairman of the committee when Harristown House was a successful rehabilitation unit. The people of Castlerea would be very supportive of the venue being restored to its former use, particularly as it led to jobs and activity in the area. People are afraid of the unknown because they would not be able to control who resides in Harristown House.

I do not have to pay ¤5 to the Cathaoirleach because I bet that the Minister for Justice and Equality would not come to the House today. However, I respect the position of Minister of State because I was one myself and acted on behalf of other Ministers. I support Senator Kelly's view and request that the Minister for Justice and Equality meets public and community representatives before the unit opens. I presume, following tonight's public meeting in Castlerea, that there will be a call for the Minister to meet the community and Oireachtas Members to discuss the issue before the venue is occupied by so-called lifers or prisoners finishing their sentences.