asked the Minister for Justice if he will now review as a matter of urgency the present security arrangements in place in Portlaoise prison, County Laois, to ensure that they are adequate to deal with the high security risk persons being held there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoise Prison Security.
5.
Security in Portlaoise prison is kept under review by the relevant authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to publicly comment on such matters. If the Deputy has any specific concern in mind perhaps she would communicate privately with me and I will have the matter examined.
I thank the Minister for his comments. I would certainly like to take up his invitation to communicate with him privately. I have spoken to some prison officers in Portlaoise Prison and I have reason to be concerned about what is going on there. It seems that in recent times a number of disruptive prisoners are being moved around the country and spend a couple of weeks in each place. Recently in Portlaoise Prison two prison officers were assaulted, one badly, and they had to be taken to hospital. I understand there is total chaos in the prison. I will not elaborate on the matter now; I will communicate the rest of the information to the Minister privately. I ask him to consider the matter seriously.
I would be glad to meet Deputy Harney and hear whatever she has to say, if she is satisfied that it affects the general security of the prison. I am satisfied that with the system that is in operation, a system involving the Garda, the prison service and the Army, all of whom have a specific task with regard to the provision of security, that the security at this maximum security prison is as effective as we would hope it to be. I am satisfied from reports of those charged with responsibility for security there that everything is in order. However, in the event of there being any suggestions that may be helpful to those with responsibility for security, I welcome the opportunity of hearing from Deputy Harney.
Why is the unit in the basement, which was recently renovated at considerable public cost, not being used? Secondly, the Minister did not answer my question about disruptive prisoners being moved around.
If Deputy Harney has a specific question about a specific part, if she will put it down I will be glad to help and give her whatever information I can.
In common with the Minister and Deputy Harney, I am concerned about the problems obtaining in Portlaoise prison which have been highlighted in local papers. I realise it is a high security prison with a large number of prison officers, Garda and Army. Will the Minister say if he is satisfied with the catering facilities provided for the prison staff and the other people who work there? For example, is he aware that the present catering facilities for the prison staff are provided in a prefab unit designed to cater for approximately 20 people? Furthermore, is he aware that with the additional numbers of staff on duty this is totally unacceptable, causing staff to eat their meals standing and, on occasions, outside the prefab? Is he aware also that, on occasion, staff have to leave the prison to get food?
The Deputy is raising a specific matter whereas this question deals primarily with security arrangements. The Deputy is dealing with staff problems and their special catering problems.
That is my point. Is the Minister aware that on occasions, a number of staff — because of lack of catering facilities there — have to go outside the prison and re-enter?
The Deputy has made his point.
What action does the Minister intend to make to remedy this problem? I might also ask the Minister——
Please, Deputy, I want to facilitate you but you may not make a long speech about it.
Is the Minister aware of the problems in the isolation unit in the prison which is underground? According to local papers — the Nationalist and Leinster Times of 12 February 1988 — it is said that some prison staff who were on duty in that isolation unit, that has no ventilation, became ill because of a dirty protest having taken place in the prison?
I am afraid the Deputy wants to make an issue of this today by way of debate. We cannot debate this matter today. The Deputy must terminate his questions. I want to dissuade Members from thinking they can debate the matter now.
With respect, A Cheann Comhairle, I submit that the points I am making are totally within the ambit of the question.
I will decide that, Deputy.
Well, according to Standing Orders——
I will decide that.
I appreciate that. What action does the Minister intend to take to provide proper catering facilities and a safer system of hygiene for staff?
The Deputy has made his point quite clearly and distinctly.
Recognising fully the importance of Portlaoise prison as a high security prison, the Deputy can be assured that we have due regard to and concern for anything and everything that would interfere in any way with the security of this prison.
Is the Minister not in a position to arrange to provide proper catering facilities there? It is grossly unfair to staff and drastic action should be taken to improve those facilities.
In fairness to Deputy Enright I will communicate with him, letting him have as much information as I can on the adequacies or inadequacies of the catering facilities in Portlaoise prison.
Thank you.