asked the Minister for Justice whether, having regard to the long delay which is likely to occur in providing new premises for the Borstal Institution and to the unsuitability of the present accommodation in Cork, he will consider the question of reopening the former Borstal premises at Clonmel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reopening of Borstal Institution.
Mr. Boland
I have again considered this question and have decided to transfer the Borstal back to Clonmel pending the provision of new buildings. The premises at Clonmel were inspected recently and I am satisfied that with certain structural alterations and repairs they will provide more suitable accommodation than those at Cork. The transfer will be effected when the necessary improvements have been completed.
Does the Minister mean to tell the House that he is going to put the Borstal boys back into what he himself described to me as a dirty, damp antediluvian prison? It is small wonder that Monsignor Flanagan should say what he did say about this country. If the Borstal boys are to be put back there, then that will be the greatest public scandal that has ever taken place. The Minister knows that, and does he deny it?
Mr. Boland
I know no such thing. I admit that I have not got such a command of the English language as Deputy Dillon has, and that I had not visited Clonmel. I was under the impression that it was a much worse institution than it is. I took the trouble of going down there recently. I admit that the cells are small, but having regard to the fact that the boys will only sleep there and that they will dine in common and that certain alterations will be carried out—the grounds there can be made much better than the grounds in Cork—I am personally satisfied that, until we get a new building, Clonmel is a more suitable place for them than Cork. We want Cork jail.
That is the reason. Do you deny——
Mr. Boland
Am I in possession or is the Deputy in possession?
The Minister.
Mr. Boland
We want Cork jail. There is the question of having to transfer prisoners over long distances. We are trying, as quickly as we possibly can, to get a new institution on modern lines. As I told the Deputy before I am doing all I can to get it. I cannot get it yet but I am perfectly satisfied that Clonmel is at least as good——
Does the Minister deny that these boys will be hereafter accommodated in stone cells such as are used in no hard labour prison and in no penal servitude prison in this country at the present time? These boys will be sleeping in the kind of cells described as turf cellars in Portlaoighise. Is that not true?
Mr. Boland
It is not true. It is a gross exaggeration.
It is true.
Order.
It is a disgusting scandal.
Question 46.
You were never in Clonmel Jail.
Mr. Boland
I was and in other jails.
Does the Deputy realise that he is holding up business and preventing questions being answered?
I realise that I am in the presence of one of the dirtiest scandals that ever disfigured this House.
Mr. Boland
I am prepared to allow the Deputy to see it.
I have seen it.
The remaining questions will appear in the Official Report.
The Minister is on his feet to answer Question 46.
Some Deputies try to monopolise a lot of time.
But is it fair to penalise respectable Deputies and the Minister?
You are all too respectable to go down and look at Clonmel.