Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I understand the need for this provision. There is anecdotal evidence of prisoners being able to conduct the business of their crime gangs from within the prison walls, which is unacceptable. It has been reported that prisoners can obtain mobile telephones for €1,000 on the inside, which is not very satisfactory. I agree with the provisions of the amendments which are being made in this regard. Is a distinction made if a prisoner gets a mobile telephone from somebody, conceals it and uses it to keep in touch with family, for example? A person who is incarcerated may feel the need to make contact with family members. He or she may not use it for reasons which relate to criminal intent. The sentences which will apply to this offence are very severe. I can understand the reason the sentences and penalties that will apply to this offence must be severe, particularly where hardened criminals generate considerable criminal activity from using their mobile telephones. I compare such an offender to an individual who finds himself or herself in prison, which can be a difficult regime if the individual is not a hardened criminal, and uses a mobile telephone for what he or she considers reasonable needs. Perhaps judicial discretion takes account of this matter.