Parliamentary Question: Prison Service

9th December 2003

398. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the contingency plans being made in his Department to provide defence personnel to cover for striking staff in the prisons. [29500/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): At its meeting on 29 September 2003, the Government established a group comprising the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Finance and myself, to deal with the evolving industrial relations situation in the Prison Service, including putting in place contingency arrangements in the event of industrial action. In line with this decision, I can confirm that contingency planning is at an advanced stage for the possible use of Garda and Defence Forces personnel in the event of industrial action in the prisons. In such a situation, the Defence Forces will play a significant role. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to go into the details of the arrangements which are being put in place at this time. I must point out that deployment of the Defence Forces and the Garda is by no means inevitable. It is a last rather than a first resort. First, it would clearly be preferable to reach a deal on an annualised hours package with the Prison Officers' Association, POA, and I still hope this can be done. Second, even if no deal is agreed and other cost cutting measures are implemented in January, this does not guarantee industrial action - that is a matter for the POA. Third, attempts have been underway for some time to obtain agreement from the POA on a satisfactory level of emergency cover in the event of industrial action. This would entail POA members providing sufficient staff to keep the prisons operational, albeit with a reduced level of service. Negotiations in this regard are ongoing.
Nevertheless, the importance of our prison system to public safety and security dictates that contingency plans are in place to ensure that it remains operational in all circumstances.