Michael Noonan
Question:58 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Defence the reason for withdrawing soldiers from security duty in Limerick Prison after 17 years of providing such cover.
Written Answers. - Military Guards at Prisons.
Dinny McGinley
Question:64 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if plans are currently underway to pull out soldiers on guard duty in all prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 64 together.
Pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power the Defence Forces have at various times provided military guards at prisons as considered necessary.
The position in regard to the withdrawal of the military guard at Limerick Prison was indicated to the House by the Minister for Justice during the debate dealing with a Supplementary Estimate for prisons on 6 December 1991.