Is the Minister not concerned at the high level of crime and particularly the high level of infectious disease, including in Mountjoy the problem of infectious disease arising from the abuse of drugs? What further steps is he prepared to take to ensure that the campaign against drug abuse is effective?

Certainly, there is a serious problem of hepatitis among drug abusers and as the Deputy has said, there are a number, in Mountjoy. I am extremely anxious to have such prisoners — and indeed women prisoners who have infection as well — separated, treated on a separate basis and rehabilitated during the period of their custody for their return to society. In that regard I have endeavoured to do a considerable amount of work, including the prospect of using the premises in Dundrum, but, as the Deputy knows, there is very perverse opposition around in relation to much of the work we are trying to do. Slowly but surely we are overcoming that and bringing in a better mode of treatment.