Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Basically, he is saying that lands at Thornton Hall will not be used for international protection accommodation and that he has revoked the order on that. Did he know a contract was signed this time last year with the provider on that site for the provision of accommodation for international protection applicants? I do not know how long the contract was signed for. I think it was two years the Department of integration signed it for. Was the Minister aware of that? Is the taxpayer still paying for that?

That will be great news for the residents of the area but it is the prison I am here for today. I want to see the prison built at that site. A lot of investment has gone into it. Not only do I demand it, but the public demands it. We have a revolving door system and we do not have enough prison spaces. I wish the Minister well and want to see this delivered in his time. The €53 million will not go very far but I hope the Government is committed to giving the Minister many more millions to deliver that.