The governor of Mountjoy Prison this morning denied a newspaper report he would step down from his post because of reforms for the prison system planned by the Minister for Justice.
On RTÉ Radio 1 this morning , Mr John Lonergan stressed he had already served 21 years in the service and was eligible for retirement.
He said it was likely that he would remain in charge until Mountjoy Jail moves to a new site but that he had insufficient energy to take on board a new project.
In this morning's edition of the Irish Examiner, it was suggested impending reforms planned by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, would prompt him to resign.
Among the reform measures planned by the Minister for Justice are random drugs testing and ending physical contact between families and prisoners.
Mr Lonergan has also come out against the relocating of the prison to a greenfield site, citing the access difficulties this would pose for relatives and visitors to inmates.