Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Notwithstanding the Minister's lengthy reply, I put it to him that this is one aspect of Government policy which has been a complete failure. Promise after promise by the Minister and his predecessor over the years that our prisons would be drug free ring hollow in the context of the recent figures. I put it to him also that security in our prisons in terms of access to them is in some way deficient having regard to the fact that in recent weeks, members of the public could freely walk into two different prisons. That is a further example of security in our prisons being less than satisfactory.

What is needed is airport-type security with screens, radar detectors and sniffer dogs to ensure we can bring an end to a situation where many prisoners have greater drug problems leaving prison than they have when they enter them. The Government's national drugs strategy's critical implementation path promised the appointment of an independent evaluator in 2007 but this has not yet taken place. When will such an appointment be made? Is the Minister satisfied there is sufficient security in our prisons because the present situation is totally unacceptable?

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