asked the Minister for Justice is he aware of the grave concern expressed by some prison officers about the recent disturbances in Portlaoise Prison; and the action, if any, he intends to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoise Prison Disturbances.
50.
I am not so aware. If the Deputy is referring to certain newspaper reports alleging that the prison officers in Portlaoise were in fear of being disciplined in connection with the recent disturbances, I am glad to have the opportunity to say publicly that, on the contrary, the prison officers were commended for their behaviour throughout this difficult period and the entire body of officers in the prison were well aware of this commendation. Accordingly, the reports that they were in fear of disciplinary action were without foundation and could not have emanated from the officers.
While I am satisfied that there was no question of concern about possible disciplinary action, I am equally satisfied that there was, obviously, serious concern about the ordeal to which those prison officers who were taken hostage were subjected, a concern which every reasonable person must share. We all hope that such a situation does not recur. Every effort is made by all concerned to minimise the risks and the best and most practicable ways of attaining that objective are kept constantly under review.
I share the Minister's sentiments for the welfare of the prison officers. Can he tell us the circumstances in which 140 prisoners overpowered 27 prison officers? Could he give the House that information?
I do not know what the Deputy means by the circumstances but——
Can he give us the time and day and describe how it happened?
In reply to a written question I have already issued a full statement to the Deputy on the events of that day in Portlaoise. The bald fact is that the prisoners overpowered the officers in question. There were no particular circumstances that would have given any advance warning that such action was planned because, of course, if there had been, suitable action would have been taken by the prison staff and by the security forces in the prison. This was a surprise attack on the officers in question—a ruthless determined attack by ruthless and dangerous criminals.
The Minister went through that litany before.
I feel it cannot be emphasised too often. I would like the Deputy to concur with me that his opinion of these people is, as mine is, that the inmates of Portlaoise are ruthless and dangerous criminals.
The Minister knows my views in that respect very well. Will the circumstances arise again in the near or distant future where 27, 30 or 37 prison officers will be exposed to the position of finding themselves being overpowered by prisoners?
I sincerely hope that the situation will not arise again——
What action has the Minister taken?
Will the Deputy let me finish my reply? I hope the situation will not arise again but I cannot give a guarantee. From visiting prisons the Deputy is aware of the regimen within a prison, that the prison officers must move through prisoners in the course of their work. If prisoners are so badly disposed as to attack a prison officer, they cannot be prevented. The best remedy is to make the prisoners fully aware that there will be instant and severe reaction on the part of the authorities against them for any such illegal activity. It is impossible to say that never again will a prison officer be attacked, jostled or taken hostage by prisoners. The fact that I must say this—and this is a fact of life in prisons— might highlight for the public the difficult and dangerous job the prison staff are doing on our behalf. That is the factual position.
I am sorry to pursue this but the Minister is aware that he gave a written reply to a number of questions in circumstances about which he knows. I would like to ask him a number of questions arising from the written reply.
The Deputy must stick to the questions on the paper. Question No. 51.
I will be pleased to facilitate the Deputy.
I do not want to insist but——
If there was a written reply the Chair——
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, you are not listening to me. A certian situation arose where I was asked to accede to a request for a written reply to three questions. I acceded on the basis that I would be able to raise supplementary questions on that reply in the House. That is what I am trying to do but you are preventing me.
The Chair has no information about that. We are dealing with Question No. 50. I am allowing the Deputy supplementary questions on that question.
The Minister is prepared to answer the questions.
Question No. 51 is on the same subject.
The Minister said in the written reply that the damage to the facilities and so on amounted to some £14,000 and that it would be repaired shortly. Has the damage been repaired?
The damage has practically been repaired. The cell doors have been replaced. Beds are back in all the cells, furniture is being restored and is now in the majority of cells. The demands on prison officers' time in restoring and supervising the prison in its disordered state are less and as a result I will be announcing later today that the temporary ban on visits has been lifted and visits may be resumed.
There has been a suggestion, again in the newspapers, that a group visiting Portlaoise had to wait some two hours before they could visit their people. I do not know who they were visiting.
I am not aware of this. If the Deputy gives me details of it I will have it investigated, but when a very large number of people arrive it is inevitable that those at the end of the queue may have a long wait before their turn comes.
How many prisoners are there per cell at the moment?
One prisoner per cell. For some days, while the prison was in a disordered state, there were two and, in some cases, three per cell.
That was only a very temporary arrangement and pertained for only a matter of days.
Question No. 51.
There was a leaflet circulated in my constituency——
The Deputy is giving information, not asking a question.
——which alleged that prisoners were eating food off the floor.
I am aware of that leaflet. The allegations in it were completely without foundation.
Can the Minister tell us how many prisoners are on hunger strike?
My information is that there are 17 on hunger strike.
For how long?
Seven have been on hunger strike for approximately three weeks. The exact date of commencement is somewhat vague in regard to some of them. The balance have been on hunger strike a week.