Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan:

I have a very deep interest in the issue of drugs as I worked in that area for a large portion of my career. It is something about which I feel very strongly. It is a very complex issue which, as rightly highlighted in the committee's report, covers social and health policy. We are very focused on it from an enforcement and supply reduction perspective. We also have a role to play in terms of harm reduction. Those involved in our drugs and organised crime bureau work very closely in the context of the pillars of the national drugs strategy. We work with a number of agencies in this regard. I welcome rational and constructive debate on the issue because it is one on which there is a need for a lot of joined-up thinking. It needs people to work together to ensure the harm and demand reduction initiatives that work best are put in place. We would welcome any opportunity to contribute to further discussions on the issue.