Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy appears to be under a misapprehension. I have received no such professional advice. One of the first matters I brought to the Government as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was a comprehensive programme of measures to prevent the smuggling of drugs into prisons. Under the pilot drug detection dogs scheme, searching has been concentrated on visitors, but limited proactive searching of areas within prisons has also taken place. The evidence is that the teams have had a significant interception and deterrent effect, and the current contract has been extended to November of this year.

I am satisfied that the introduction of drug detection dogs has led to a significant reduction in the number of drugs being introduced into prisons. It is my intention to establish a permanent drug detection dog unit within the Prison Service. In addition, as previously stated, new prison visiting arrangements have been introduced and enhanced detection technology services are being applied.

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