The Dáil has passed the Bill to allow for the building of a new prison at Thornton Hall in north Co Dublin, to replace Mountjoy jail.
On a vote, the bill was passed by 73 to 60.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern told the Dáil this evening that he would be opposing the Fine Gael bill which would bring about enhanced rights for victims of crime.
Mr Ahern said the Fine Gael proposals had serious technical and practical issues. He repeated his criticisms of the bill by saying it was replication of a New Zealand law.
The Minister also said the Government proposals on victims' rights which were announced last week were more radical and far reaching.
