Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to share time with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, and Deputies McGuinness and Curran.

I acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of my colleagues and good friends, the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen. They will not object if somewhere in this short contribution I mention Tallaght. I will deal later with Deputy English to whom I listened carefully last night.

I compliment my colleagues in Sinn Féin, especially my local colleague, Deputy Crowe, on their initiative in proposing this motion. It is good to have this debate. I have often spoken about the importance of Private Members' business for Deputies like me because it gives us an opportunity to talk about everyday issues.

I will not say that everything is perfect in regard to drug services and there is no problem in my area because there is but I am proud of the efforts we have all made. While we are entitled to make our political points, a serious effort has been made to combat this problem. We must continue to support the Garda Síochána to ensure that people who peddle drugs and import them into our jurisdiction are dealt with severely.

As some Deputies know, I represent Dublin South-West which includes the major population centre of Tallaght but also Firhouse, Greenhills, Templeogue and Brittas. I am from Dublin and was reared in Crumlin. There have always been drugs challenges in these communities to which the Government must continue to respond.

Someone last night referred to the work of the previous rainbow coalition.

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