Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
125. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the fact that the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Europe is imminent, if he will ask the Lithuanian Government to deal with the serious allegations of inhuman and degrading conditions in that country's prison. [27761/13]
View answerI assume that the prison that the Deputy is referring to is Lukiskes prison in Vilnius, which has been the subject of reports by the Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). I also understand that the Lithuanian Government is actively addressing the issue of upgrading its prison accommodation and is engaged in an extensive modernisation programme. I welcome the fact that this programme envisages both the upgrading of some prison facilities and the replacement of others, including Lukiskes prison, with the construction of four new prison facilities. There are no Irish prisoners accommodated in Lukiskes prison at this time.
