Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I am a new Deputy who is still learning the ropes and I beg the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's indulgence for a moment. Last night I raised a matter on the Adjournment, in the context of an article that appeared in one of the newspapers, regarding a problem, the abuse of drugs, that is proving a scourge in our cities and communities. I went home very disappointed. I spent a great deal of time preparing what I had to say and the Minister, in her goodness, listened to my comments before reading a prepared statement on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Carey. As a newly elected Deputy, I was extremely disappointed that, following the amount of time I spent preparing, the Minister did not have an opportunity to reply in her own right. That is a shame.

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