Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Last week, I called for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to outline to us the steps he intends to take to address the chronic overcrowding in prisons. The Minister and his two predecessors gave categoric assurances in this House that we would have drug-free prisons when certain measures were put in place. In view of what we have seen in Limerick Prison, will the Minister come to the House as a matter of urgency and outline what steps were taken to prevent drugs entering prisons? Have these measures been put in place? If they have why are they not working? It is imperative that the Minister comes to the House to discuss this. On a number of occasions, including today, he has been asked to come to the House to discuss various matters. I suggest that the Leader tables statements on justice to be taken next week and that the Minister comes to the House to address the myriad of proposals made, including that made by Senator Glynn. My party proposed a Bill on that matter and received very little support from the other side of the House. Let us address these problems in a proper manner.

I agree with the freezing of local authority rates. It would very laudable to have no increase in rates. However, the Government cannot speak from both sides of its mouth. It must provide proper funding to local authorities to enable them to have a freeze in rates.