Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I agree with the Minister on the dangers of cocaine. Is there any possibility of extending the support and range of services when it comes to educating parents and young people of the dangers of that and other drugs? There are parent-to-parent courses in north County Dublin of which the Minister of State will be aware, a good example of a positive response. One of the pharmaceutical companies produced a DVD called "Empower: The Family Guide to Understanding Drugs in Ireland". It is very hard-hitting, dealing not only with the effects on health. For example, if there is a conviction for possession or any law-breaking, people cannot travel or get a job. It effectively wrecks lives as well as health. Can the Minister of State facilitate the wider distribution of such a DVD, which is very immediate and wide in its impact?

On 12 June, "Prime Time Investigates" broadcast a programme called "The Irish Connection". It was clear that much of the cocaine was coming in through Spain. Does such a programme result in a sharper focus, or are we getting information that is already in the hands of those who need to take action? It struck me that many of the drug-dealers from Ireland were becoming deeply involved in Spain. That seems to have resulted in a major supply of cocaine into this country. Is there any progress to report on that score?

See this speech in context