asked the Minister for Justice whether he has inquired into the allegations about the alleged brutalising conditions under which prisoners are maintained in Portlaoise Prison; and if he is satisfied as to their validity or otherwise.

I have visited the prison to see conditions for myself and I have invited newspaper editors to visit it and other prisons and places of detention. Some of their reports have already been published.

There are people who believe that any prison is, of its very nature, demoralising if not worse. I believe, however, that the conditions obtaining in Portlaoise, while not ideal, are as humane as the circumstances permit, given on the one hand the physical limitations of the prison and, on the other hand, the need to prevent escapes. Some modifications—I do not claim that they were anything but minor ones—were recently made and the position is being kept under review.

In view of the fact that the last major prison was built in, I think, 1870, has the Minister any intention of introducing enlightened, up-to-date, humane legislation in respect of prisons generally?

I tell the Deputy that I am on public record as saying that I believe that prisoners are human beings and must be treated as such. I propose to follow that line of thinking—

What does that mean?

——by doing what-ever is necessary to see to it that that is so.

A new law is needed to reform the prison system. Has the Minister any intention of introducing modern, up-to-date, humane legislation in respect of our out-dated, degrading prisons?

That is a repetition of questions already asked. I am calling Question No. 34.

The Minister is a prisoner himself of his Department. It happened very quickly.

34.