asked the Minister for Justice if he will now review as a matter of urgency the present security arrangements in place in Portlaoise prison, County Laois, to ensure that they are adequate to deal with the high security risk persons being held there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Security in Portlaoise prison is kept under review by the relevant authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to publicly comment on such matters. If the Deputy has any specific concern in mind perhaps she would communicate privately with me and I will have the matter examined.

I thank the Minister for his comments. I would certainly like to take up his invitation to communicate with him privately. I have spoken to some prison officers in Portlaoise Prison and I have reason to be concerned about what is going on there. It seems that in recent times a number of disruptive prisoners are being moved around the country and spend a couple of weeks in each place. Recently in Portlaoise Prison two prison officers were assaulted, one badly, and they had to be taken to hospital. I understand there is total chaos in the prison. I will not elaborate on the matter now; I will communicate the rest of the information to the Minister privately. I ask him to consider the matter seriously.

I would be glad to meet Deputy Harney and hear whatever she has to say, if she is satisfied that it affects the general security of the prison. I am satisfied that with the system that is in operation, a system involving the Garda, the prison service and the Army, all of whom have a specific task with regard to the provision of security, that the security at this maximum security prison is as effective as we would hope it to be. I am satisfied from reports of those charged with responsibility for security there that everything is in order. However, in the event of there being any suggestions that may be helpful to those with responsibility for security, I welcome the opportunity of hearing from Deputy Harney.

Why is the unit in the basement, which was recently renovated at considerable public cost, not being used? Secondly, the Minister did not answer my question about disruptive prisoners being moved around.

If Deputy Harney has a specific question about a specific part, if she will put it down I will be glad to help and give her whatever information I can.