106 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, she is taking to deal with the inward trafficking of drugs into Wheatfield Prison; if there is a drug problem in that prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4648/97]

Wheatfield Place of Detention is the most modern facility in the State for holding offenders convicted by the courts and as such was designed and equipped with a view inter alia to preventing the smuggling of contraband including illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia to offenders. Measures in force include the close surveillance of all visits including the utilisation of video surveillance technology and the regular and random searching of prisoners, cells and accommodation generally. If visitors are caught passing drugs, the gardaí are notified and if offenders are caught they are refused visits or they are confined to closed visits behind screens for a period. I am determined to continue to implement whatever measures are deemed necessary in order to eradicate drug abuse in the prisons.