asked the Minister for Justice whether, as reported, the cells in which NFA members have been imprisoned are without heat and windows in all the cells are broken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Condition of Prison Cells.
40.
When the allegations in question were first published on 23rd February, I issued an immediate public denial of the statement about the prison conditions.
As regards the heating of cells, the position is that the entire prison is heated from a central boiler house and the cell temperature at night time at this time of the year is kept constant at 55 to 58 degrees which is shown on the thermometer as "temperate." The Prison Medical Officer regards this temperature as comfortable and satisfactory in sleeping conditions.
As regards the cell windows, the position is that occasionally a prisoner may say that for health reasons he is accustomed to sleep with an open bedroom window; and then, subject to security precautions, his need for fresh air may be met by the removal of a small pane of glass (6"x4") from his cell window. When the complaint in question was published on 23rd February, missing panes of glass in some cell windows occupied by the prisoners in question were replaced but, on the following day, one of them asked to have the glass again removed.
I may add that none of the prisoners referred to in the NFA propaganda statement has made any complaint to the Prison Governor or to the members of the Visiting Committee as to prison conditions, although all prisoners were informed on reception of their rights in this regard. In fact, a member of the Visiting Committee visited the prison on 23rd February, spoke to a number of these prisoners, found that they were all happy and recorded his conclusion that there was no foundation for all allegations given to the newspapers.
I have yet to hear of happy NFA prisoners. Would the Minister explain now why on Thursday last he issued instructions that Deputies were not to be allowed to inspect the cells in question?
I issued no instructions whatsoever in that regard and, if any Deputy wishes to inspect the prison on any occasion, he can do so on application to me. No such application was made to me by any Deputy.
Is it not a fact that the Chief Officer of Mountjoy was through to the Minister's office and the Minister said "No"? We were there. Is it not also a fact—I have been a member of the Public Accounts Committee of this House; I was a member for some years—that every year there was an open invitation to Deputies to visit the jails and see conditions for themselves?
That is not relevant.
This is the first time I was not allowed to inspect.
For purposes of clarification, I might mention that it has been the practice of every Minister for Justice in every Government since the foundation of the State to extend to every Deputy the courtesy of visiting prisons on application to the Minister for Justice. No such application was made to me.
It was made.
It was made, and the Minister knows that.
I do not tell lies.
Is it not a fact that there were as many as 40 panes of glass out of the windows of these cells? Is it a fact that these men were removed to a new building since?
The Deputy is making a mistake.
There were 40 panes of glass out of the windows. They are now in and the men have been removed to different quarters and the Minister is now issuing an open invitation. He has covered his tracks.
I will permit the Deputy, on application to me, to visit any prison in the State, subject to my discretion. It may not be issued to any Deputy who seeks to go there for mischievous purposes. I will use my discretion in regard to such a Deputy.
Why did the Minister not allow us in?
Is it not quite clear now that is the remark of a Minister for Justice in a police state?
Of course it is.
A disgraceful remark and quite out of keeping with the tone adopted by the Taoiseach earlier.
More Government by coercion: the Minister for Coercive Measures.
Order! Question No. 41.
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle.