Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to relocate Mountjoy Prison to the proposed site at Thornton Hall in north County Dublin in view of the potential hardship it will place upon disadvantaged prisoners and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15696/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I do not intend to reconsider my decision to relocate the Mountjoy Prison complex to the Thornton Hall site. As the Deputy is aware Mountjoy Prison needs to be replaced. Conditions in Mountjoy have been severely criticised by the Council Of Europe's European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. They have also been roundly condemned by the Inspector of Prisons. Redeveloping the existing 20 acre site at Mountjoy is neither financially viable at an estimated cost of well in excess of €400 million nor is it practical from an operational or developmental perspective.

I do not accept the Deputy's assertions that the new location will result in hardship to disadvantaged prisoners and their families. Obviously any change in location may inconvenience visitors-families who reside in the immediate proximity of the current site but equally a new site may prove more convenient for visitors from other areas. The new site at Thornton Hall is suitable in many respects, including the fact that the site is only 10 miles from O'Connell Street, a new motorway is almost complete nearby with access to the M50 and the national motorway network. In addition, consideration will be given to the provision, subject to review, of a bus service to facilitate visitors who do not have their own transport.

The construction of the new facility on a greenfield site will address the inadequate facilities associated with the Mountjoy Prison complex and will, in addition, offer significant improvements in the areas of work training, education, and medical services as well as providing single cell accommodation with in-cell sanitation.