Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In respect of the huge increase in the use and misuse of drugs throughout the country, last year more than 1,700 new injecting drug users presented at the Merchants Quay needle exchange in Dublin. In fairness to the Garda and its drug squads, nearly two tonnes of cocaine and more than one tonne of herbal cannabis have been seized this year. However, the number of heroin addicts seeking treatment outside Dublin increased by 500% up to 2005 and there has been a reported 900% increase in the number of those seeking treatment and assistance to deal with drugs related problems.

On 13 February this year, when I asked the Taoiseach about this matter, he stated: "I do not believe. . . there are serious drug problems in every village, community and locality because that is not the case." I do not want to refer to current tragedies and difficulties but the list of people, particularly young persons, for whom the use and abuse of drugs has had tragic consequences and the list of those who are currently having difficulties are there for everybody to see. Given the scale of the task facing the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, has the Taoiseach changed his mind in the intervening nine or ten months? Is he willing to acknowledge that there is a major problem in every community and that the drugs issue demands real intervention and a national drugs strategy that is capable of dealing with the phenomenal increase in the use of drugs? Does he accept that his remarks in February are not accurate now? Is he satisfied that the national drugs strategy is capable of dealing with the scale of the challenge facing us?

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