Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Chair for selecting this issue which is of parochial concern to me and the residents of the Tallaght-Clondalkin area. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, who is a frequent visitor to this Chamber.

There is considerable opposition to the proposal to establish a juvenile detention centre on the green belt lands between Tallaght and Clondalkin from the local community, the local authority, South Dublin County Council, and the Tánaiste, who informed me last week by way of a flier through my door, "Harney strongly opposed to juvenile detention centre."

This proposal came out of the blue before Christmas, without any consultation with local Dáil or Seanad Members or local councillors. Who was consulted before this ludicrous proposal was put which would take away a substantial amount of green belt land between the conurbation of Tallaght and Clondalkin? No one was consulted about this proposal when it came from the Office of Public Works through the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. On 16 January a very detailed objection on behalf of South Dublin County Council's planning department setting out its conclusions and recommendations was lodged to the Office of Public Works.

There have been several attempts to develop the green belt lands over the past number of years and on each occasion severe objections have been made by the planning authorities. Once again a proposal in this area by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is being objected to. On 16 January the planners' response stated that the proposed development would constitute a material contravention of the South Dublin County Council's development plan 1998 policies regarding zoning objectives, traffic safety, public health and injury to nearby residential amenity. The professional planners, Dublin South County Council, are opposed to this proposal. The council has clearly outlined its views in terms of zoning, the traffic congestion on the N7, which has a greater volume of traffic than any other route, drainage and the unsuitability of the proposed juvenile detention centre on green belt lands.

The Tánaiste is opposed to the proposal. She said in correspondence recently that it would contravene the objective of a green belt between the two conurbations. I understand she is in discussions with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to try to stop this proposed development. I want to hear from the Minister that he is listening to the local community, the professional planners and the Tánaiste, who has a definitive view on this matter. I would be delighted if he would tell me that the Government will stop this proposed development.

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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While I am aware of the matters outlined by the Senator, I am not aware of the circular by the Tánaiste to which he referred. I assure him that decisions on this matter are not influenced by a decision taken in relation to Shanganagh. There is a requirement under the Children Act 2001 for a juvenile centre for young offenders aged between 16 and 21.

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I am happy to clarify this matter for the Senator. I commence by outlining the background and current status of the proposed development.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility for the provision of accommodation for young offenders aged between 16 and 21 years. The Children Act 2001 provides that boys and girls aged 16 to 17 years who are committed to custody by the courts either on remand or under sentence should be accommodated in separate detention facilities. To the extent that this measure was enacted through these Houses there was full consultation with Senator Brian Hayes in respect of this matter.

In late 2001 the Prison Service advertised for a suitable site for such detention facilities. On foot of this process, a total of around 40 locations were assessed and the site at Newlands on the Naas Road was found to be the most suitable of those examined. On that basis, a planning notice under part 9 of the Local Government Planning and Development Act 2000 was served in December 2002. This involved placing public advertisements as well as site notices regarding the proposed development. I emphasise, however, that this matter is not something on which any conclusive decision has been made.

The Minister has already clearly stated his position in this matter in reply to a number of questions in the Dáil last week and in his response to Deputy Paul Gogarty during the Adjournment debate last Thursday in the Dáil. There has been no change in the Minister's position since then but I am happy to restate it.