29th March 2007
138. Mr. Quinnasked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his previous replies to parliamentary questions on proposals for the future use of the land at Mountjoy Jail, if he will sell the site in its entirety, with planning permission, to commercial interests; if he has planning consultants appointed for the purpose of advising him in that regard; the stage the process is at; if the entirety of the land is or will be classified as having commercial uses or some of it may be transferred for public and community uses; if he still maintains his initial reluctance to transfer any part of the Mountjoy Prison site to the Mater Hospital, in view of the Mater's subsequent designation as the site for a combined national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12240/07]
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I have asked the Office of Public Works to prepare a development plan for the site. This plan will, when finalised, include detailed proposals for the utilisation and development of the site and will also take account of issues to include heritage and historical context as well as the proper and sustainable development of the area itself. I have been advised that the Office of Public Works has appointed a multi-disciplinary team, which is currently engaged in the production of a site master plan / re-zoning submission. I understand that this engagement is proceeding in conjunction with Dublin City Council's Local Area Plan for the Mountjoy / Phibsboro area. The planning consultants have also been appointed.
Mountjoy will continue to operate as a prison until the new complex at Thornton has been completed and is fully operational which will not be before 2009/2010. It is too early at this stage to indicate the precise means of disposal or its utilisation. This will be dependant in part on the outcome of the multi-disciplinary team's deliberations and the planning process.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.