asked the Minister for Justice the number of attempts made to escape from prisons under his control since 1st July, 1974; the number of successful escapes; and the number of escapees returned to custody.
31.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Security.
30.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the growing public unease arising from the escape of 19 prisoners from Portlaoise Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
32.
asked the Minister for Justice whether Mr. Justice Finlay has furnished to him his most recent report on security at Portlaoise Prison.
33.
asked the Minister for Justice the action, if any, he has taken to ensure that the prisons system is secure.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to takes Questions Nos. 30 to 33 together.
Twenty-two persons escaped from custody since the date mentioned and, of these, four were subsequently returned to custody. Four other prisoners attempted to escape but failed.
I am aware that there was and still is public unease at the escape of 19 prisoners from Portlaoise Prison. I would hope that it also extends to the regrettable fact that some of our people seem to be prepared to assist the escapees to remain at large.
Mr. Justice Finlay's report has been received but its contents must of course remain confidential, as must the measures that have been taken to improve security.
In the context of the Minister's failure in regard to security generally, I am very disappointed at the content of his reply and the length of it. I would have expected a more extensive answer to the four questions which the Minister has taken one after the other. As regards the Finlay report, the most recent is the second Finlay report, the Minister says the report has been received and is with the Government or with the Department. Is that the position?
What I said was that Mr. Justice Finlay's report has been received but its contents must of course remain confidential, as must the measures that have been taken to improve security.
I appreciate that the matter must remain confidential but have the suggestions contained in the report been implemented?
Yes, the Deputy may take it that any suggestions that may have been made in the report have been implemented.
As the four questions have been taken together I am trying to get a supplementary question on each of them if I may. In regard to the escape from Portlaoise, of the 19 prisoners who escaped how many have been returned to custody? Were not among the 19 those convicted of the brutal murder of Senator Billy Fox?
I understand that two have been taken into custody in Northern Ireland and that one has been taken into custody in this jurisdiction and it is true that among the 19 are the criminals who have been convicted of the brutal murder to which the Deputy refers.
Has one or other of those individuals been apprehended?
No, I regret to say they are still at large.