In view of what was said about the treatment of prisoners in Portlaoighise Prison yesterday, would I be permitted to make a short statement? Perhaps the House will agree to allow me to make the statement in view of the reflections cast on the prison staff and also the reflection by me on the relatives of the prisoner? It will only take a couple of minutes.
Statement by Minister—Treatment of Prisoners.
With the permission of the House, if there is no objection.
Agreed.
Mr. Boland
This morning Miss A. McCaughey, Mrs. P. O'Hara and Mr. Patrick McCaughey, the sisters and brother of the prisoner, visited the prisoner. Following the visit they requested to see the governor, and Miss A. McCaughey, who constituted herself spokesman, had the following conversation with the governor:—
The governor asked Miss McCaughey what she wanted to see him about and she replied:—"I want to apologise for what appeared in all the papers to-day. We had nothing whatever to do with it. It was a remark passed by Mrs. O'Hara which was twisted by other people. She knew that the officer did his duty in stopping the handkerchief." She then went on to say:—"I want to apologise to you, Governor, and all your staff. You have been most kind to all of us and have done your best for Seán. We are very grateful to all the prison officials and we repudiate entirely all the charges made in the Dáil against the prison officials."
I am sure the Minister is satisfied that I made no charges against the prison officials.
Mr. Boland
I am anything but satisfied.
Why was Deputy Flanagan——
There can be no discussion. The House gave permission to the Minister to make a statement, and to no one else.
The fact is that the Minister has deliberately prevented members of this House from visiting the prison.
The Minister spoke by permission of the House.