25th April 2007
120. Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, with reference to the evidence given by the Public Works Commissioner, before the Public Accounts Committee on 26 October 2006, the cost of supply of electricity to each site short listed for the planned new prison development in north County Dublin was estimated as part of the evaluation of these sites; and if he will disclose these estimates for each site and any observations connected with them. [15636/07]
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): A preliminary estimate of the cost of supplying electricity to each short-listed site was provided to the site selection committee as part of the technical study carried out on each of these sites. The estimated costs involved in each case amounted to €1.5 million for a 10kV supply and €3 million for a 38kV supply. It should be noted that these estimates were prepared in 2004 and early 2005, were preliminary in nature and should be treated as such.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.