Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I reiterate that it is four long years since this proposal was made by the Minister's Department. I do not accept the Department or the Minister are dealing effectively with this issue. The country is awash with drugs. It is predicted internationally that we are seizing less than 20% of the drugs that come into the country. Given the nature of the west and south coasts, drugs are being brought in via the coastline and spread throughout Europe. It is a serious issue and the Revenue Commissioners are very anxious in this regard.

I am not happy with the Minister's response, which is inadequate in view of the seriousness of the issue and the drugs crisis, particularly with regard to cocaine. People are dying on the streets of Dublin because of cocaine and gangsters are being murdered on the Costa del Sol as a result of the profits being made. The Minister's response is too laid back and not good enough. We do not accept he is doing his job properly.

See this speech in context