Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has requested support from the Garda and Army to assist in the running of prisons; if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21889/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is the Government's intention, in the event of industrial action by the Prison Officers Association, to deploy members of both the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces to the prisons as necessary. Training of personnel from both services in the running of the prisons has been undertaken. Clearly I would prefer to avoid this eventuality. However, given the current circumstances, it would be foolish of me to ignore the possibility of industrial action in the prisons. Clearly such action would represent a threat to the security of the State and the Government must be prepared to take whatever action is necessary to protect the safety and security of our prisons.