Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for the use of gardaí in the event that prison officers go on strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14463/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A considerable amount of contingency planning has been undertaken to ensure the continued running of the prison system in the event of industrial action by prison officers. As I have previously stated, the Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel would have a major role to play in such an eventuality. The Deputy will appreciate that for obvious operational and security reasons, I am not in a position to go into the specific details. While I hope that this action does not prove necessary, the safety of prisoners and the public must be protected.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí which he envisages will be sought for prison duty in the event that prison officers go on strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14464/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is appropriate for gardaí to be used in place of prison officers in the event of a strike, particularly in view of the considerable strain under which gardaí already operate in the fight against the persistent high levels of crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14465/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 447 together.

A considerable amount of contingency planning has been undertaken to ensure the continued running of the prison system in the event of industrial action by prison officers. As I have previously stated, the Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel would have a major role to play in such an eventuality. The Deputy will appreciate that for obvious operational and security reasons, I am not in a position to go into the specific details. While I hope that this action does not prove necessary, the safety of prisoners and the public must be protected.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Permanent Defence Force he envisages will be sought for prison duty in the event that prison officers go on strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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For security reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to put this information into the public domain.