Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

The term of imprisonment of up to five years is substantial. I understand the concerns of the Tánaiste and others because the issue has been aired in the media. I do not disagree with the Tánaiste, but the scale of the imprisonment or fines is out of proportion to the act of possession.

If someone is organising a criminal gang or the delivery of drugs via mobile telephone, he or she should be prosecuted. We have a greater ability to monitor mobile telephone communications, an option the Garda should examine. Removing the mobile telephones supposedly in the prison population could be done by allowing greater accessibility to other telephones, which are monitored by prison officers or recorded to ensure nothing untoward is being done.

The supply of alcohol or drugs arranged via mobile telephones would be subject to similar provisions because it is an identifiable crime that can be dealt with. Alcohol is supplied from outside the prison. From anecdotal evidence, prisoners have a long tradition of producing alcohol.

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