Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I agree with my colleague Senator Buttimer on the question of drugs in prisons. The former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell, gave an undertaking that we would have drug-free prisons by this year if his proposals and measures were put in place and implemented. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said he was disturbed at the figures for drug use in prisons. His predecessor stated it was a matter of urgency to deal with the matter. Will the Minister explain to the House the measures he intends to put in place to combat this urgent problem? With more than 40,000 positive cases of drug-taking in our prisons in the past three years, it is a disgrace. What does the Government intend doing about it?