Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement regarding a matter (details supplied). [43536/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Prison Service has, in recent months, introduced a package of new security measures across all closed prisons. The purpose of these measures is to eliminate, in so far as is possible, the smuggling of contraband, such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones into our prisons. Not only do these measures enhance the security and safety of our prisons, but they reduce the possibility of prisoners' families and friends being pressurised into attempting to smuggle these items during visits. All visitors to Limerick Prison must pass through recently enhanced security measures aimed at combatting the trafficking of contraband into the prison. These measures include metal detectors, x-ray scanners and a passive drug-detection dog. A positive indication from the drug-detection dog does not necessarily mean that someone is attempting to smuggle drugs into the prison, but rather that they may have recently been in contact with an illicit substance. In order that the safety and security of our prisons be maintained, persons who receive a positive indication are offered either a screened visit or a visit on an alternative day. I trust the Deputy will accept that a balance must be maintained which preserves prison security at all times.