Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 479: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a new road will be built to allow access and egress to the proposed prison at Thornton Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26125/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 480: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when an invitation to tender will be issued for the construction of a new road to the proposed prison at Thornton Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26126/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 481: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if cost estimates have been determined for the construction of a new road and ancillary services for the proposed prison at Thornton Hall; if so, what is included in those estimates and the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26127/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 482: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended that a new road will be developed by the preferred tender for the Thornton campus; if an invitation to tender will be issued to take account of this significant change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26128/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 483: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role Fingal County Council will have regarding the provision of access and egress to the proposed prison at Thornton Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26129/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 484: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the environmental impact assessment for the possible route or routes for a new road for the proposed prison at Thornton Hall will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26130/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 485: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the results of environmental impact assessment carried out for the proposed prison at Thornton Hall will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26131/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 486: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way it is envisaged that a new road serving the proposed prison at Thornton Hall will integrate with or traverse the existing R130; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26132/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 to 486, inclusive, together.

I can confirm that it is intended that access to the proposed prison development at Thornton Hall will be provided via a new road. This will have the effect of removing from the existing R130, which services Kilcoskan National School, traffic generated by the prison development both during the construction and operational phases. I should point out that the provision of an alternative access to the development was strongly urged by representatives of the local community including the school referred to following the announcement of the project in 2005. I am therefore happy to be in a position to respond positively to the wishes of the local community in this matter.

The detailed design of the interchange with the existing R130 has not yet been finalised but it is intended that it will enable both roads to function independently. I can confirm also that these proposals have been discussed in detail with the relevant officials in Fingal County Council who have been kept fully informed. The role of Fingal County Council, as the relevant local authority, will of course include reviewing the proposed arrangements for traffic to and from the prison development including the design of the access road and associated works as well as any implications for the existing local road network.

The procurement of the construction of the road and associated works is being addressed in the context of the main prison development which has been subject to an EU wide public tender competition. I cannot, for obvious commercial reasons, and in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines, provide details of the costs involved.

The Environmental Impact Assessment for the overall Thornton Hall project will, when published in the near future, address both the prison development and the access route lands on an integrated basis. The studies, surveys, etc., in relation to the proposed access route have been completed and the information is now being assessed and prepared for inclusion in the Environmental Impact Assessment, in line with the provisions of Part 4 of the Prisons Act 2007.