Mr. Dermot Gough:

I would like to reiterate some of the comments already made by Ms Quigley. When the taskforce and national drugs strategy was working people at a local level felt they had access to places of seniority and that gave them confidence. Reference was made earlier to the lack of confidence people have in their communities and their feelings of disenfranchisement and isolation. The task force meetings which were held on a monthly basis were attended by senior Garda, officials from the Departments of Education and Skills, Social Protection and Health, and this instilled a feeling of inclusiveness that filtered down. When difficulties and problems arose communities had an avenue and platform to highlight them. However, as stated by Ms Quigley that has dwindled. Former Minister of State, Pat Carey, would regularly visit projects. People felt empowered by that.