Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

As I indicated, the regional drug task forces were established and later submitted plans which were approved. The Deputy should not blame me if the task forces did not seek adequate funding. They cannot put their plans into place on one day. It takes time and some of them are moving quicker than others. Overall, approximately €70 million per annum is being spent on programmes which started at community level and between 600 and 650 employees have been recruited to work with and look after drug users.

See this speech in context