Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for that detailed reply. Deputy Burton's question was concerned with the side effects of a mixture of alcohol and cocaine. The mixture creates a substance that can cause health problems. We see a lot of road accidents where young people are killed late at night. One wonders if this substance creates drowsiness or a lack of sensitivity to one's actions. Will there be more details sought on this issue? What is the medical view on how to address it? It seems to be questionable and in need of investigation. The sooner we get to that stage, the better. I had never heard of this substance before I read about it in an article. Is there something in it worth investigating?

Will the Minister of State highlight one or two of the different projects to show us what is going on? Deputy O'Shea and I have spoken about road accidents and fatalities and how we have not yet reached a situation where the presence of drugs is determined as a cause. At a time where road safety is a big issue for everybody, when will we get to that stage? Will the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs lead on this, or will it be the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform? Will there be an interaction between the two?

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