asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied that security at Portlaoise Prison has not been affected in any way by recent cutbacks in expenditure or by reorganisation or redeployment within the Garda force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that security at Portlaoise Prison has not been adversely affected by the recent review of Garda duty there. Having regard to security considerations, it would not be in the public interest for me to comment in any detail on Garda participation in security arrangements at the prison.

Is the Minister saying that there has been no restriction on the availability of Garda manpower at Portlaoise Prison? I put it to him that this is not so, that there were occasions since Wednesday, 7 May, when the Garda strength could not be maintained at the prison because of the serious restriction on overtime.

I am not saying anything of the kind suggested by the Deputy. I said that I had been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that security at Portlaoise Prison has not been adversely affected by the review of Garda duty there.

I put it to the Minister that there were occasions since 7 May when important security posts could not be manned except within the normal roster of Garda duty and that this was due to the cutback in overtime. It resulted in some strategic security posts not being manned outside that period. Does the Minister think that this a satisfactory situation in what must surely be regarded as our top security prison?

I can assure the Deputy that I am well acquainted with the security position at Portlaoise Prison. I stand behind the view of the Garda authorities. I have satisfied myself that security at Portlaoise Prison has not been adversely affected by any recent developments.