Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I will convey to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Deputy's wish that a more open system for the disposal of drugs is put in place.

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, the Taoiseach and I attended a meeting of the British-Irish Council this morning, which was held in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham. Attending were representatives from the governments of this jurisdiction, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Guernsey and Jersey. The topic for discussion was drugs, with a focus on how we can support families and communities. In discussions at the plenary session of the council and on the margins, with my counterparts in the other jurisdictions, it emerged that the strategies are very similar across all the administrations. The issues are not dissimilar.

I take on board that we have a serious drugs problem and I have never said that we have not. It is an ongoing challenge and we must have a very robust strategy to counter it. The issue which I am throwing into the mix, for debate, is one which I have referred to consistently since I was appointed, namely, how alcohol misuse must form part of the discussions on the formulation of the next drugs strategy. It is part of the strategy in some of the other jurisdictions and I would like us to at least have an open debate about its incorporation into our national strategy.

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