Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I have been listening and I appreciate that Senator Brian Hayes has asked me to return to the subject of this debate. Can I point out the importance of the visiting committees? They had an important role when Nora Owen was Minister, as they highlighted overcrowding and drug problems in the prisons. One does not hear of such problems today as a consequence of the good leadership of this Government. There would be an outcry from the Opposition if we were to abolish prison visiting committees in the morning.