John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Garda on its action at the weekend in introducing checks for drugs at some of its checkpoints for alcohol. That is a welcome move and something on which this House should compliment the Garda. I have raised that question here on a number of occasions and I am delighted the Garda has now taken action on it. The Garda should also consider the possibility of introducing more sniffer dogs at entrances to nightclubs and other venues to try to deal with the drugs problem. We know the problem exists and sniffer dogs are probably the most effective weapon available to the Garda. Random police patrols in Scotland use sniffer dogs to try to identify people who are either carrying drugs or have been in contact with drugs.