Two weeks ago I raised the shocking allegations of serious threats to the life and health of a senior prison officer in an Irish prison. I referred to the Naughton report, which confirms the veracity of these allegations, and I questioned the Tánaiste on the lack of implementation of that report. He stated that he did not know anything about it but I have a letter here that was sent to him, the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach. He received the letter and acknowledged receipt of it but he and his colleagues have done nothing since with regard to this matter. Today I received shocking information from replies to parliamentary questions about the Prison Service. They showed that 48% of Irish Prison Service workers have left the service in the last ten years and that 56 allegations of wrongdoing in respect of the Irish Prison Service have been submitted. There are also 31 assessed protected disclosures. What is the Government doing about this crisis and why is it sitting on its hands?

There is not any legislation promised on this matter but I appreciate that it is an important one. It is a matter for the Minister for Justice and the best thing would be for me to ask her to reply to the Deputy directly on it.