Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the instances in which persons were apprehended passing drugs to other persons in prison in 2002, 2003 and 2004. [3119/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The statistical information requested by the Deputy is not available. To attempt to compile this material would entail examination of a large number of records going back over the past three years. Even then, it is probable that seizures of drugs, or suspected drugs, would be recorded under the generic description of "prohibited articles-substances" and not classified separately. The Deputy should be aware that, on occasions where visitors or others are caught allegedly supplying drugs to inmates, gardaí can be called to a prison with a view to prosecuting the persons concerned. However, even then, no firm statistical conclusions can be inferred until the contraband concerned receives chemical analysis to ascertain its content.