SEANAD REPORT:A SUGGESTION that consideration be given to calling the new prison planned for north Dublin, the Charles J Haughey Correctional Institute drew a sharp response from the Government side of the House.
Dominic Hannigan (Lab) who made the suggestion was told by Seanad leader, Donie Cassidy: "Have respect for those who made an immense contribution to the country." The issue of the name for the jail had earlier been raised by Joe O'Toole (Ind) who said that local people were concerned about the description of it as the Thornton Hall prison. Residents of this small community did not like the linking of the name with a place of incarceration.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern had agreed that it would not be unreasonable to alter the name. "I don't see why you cannot just call it the 'new Mountjoy' until you come up with another name", he told Minister of State Barry Andrews.
Ivana Bacik (Ind) said that if they were in the business of naming the prison after individuals, perhaps they should call it the 'Michael McDowell Prison' "since he was the minister who seems to have come up with the idea for it". Mr Andrews indicated that the final say on the naming might be left to people living in the locality.
The House was debating the Bill to confirm resolutions of the Oireachtas to approve construction of the prison. Fine Gael opposed the Bill. Justice spokesman Eugene Regan said the party was doing so because of the absence of an assurance that there would not be a continuation of the existing prison policy which was a dismal failure.
The Bill was passed.
The choice of George's Dock, in Dublin, as the site for the New Abbey Theatre was now settled Minister of State for Finance Martin Mansergh said.
Mr Mansergh said the project was complex and there were myriad factors to address in making progress on it. "It remains a priority for the Department for Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Government in the programme for government and in the National Development Plan."
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said he would be fearful that in the current economic climate the Abbey project could prove to be like the Metro North, another disaster for the north side if the Government decided to pull back from it.