Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State and welcome the figures he provided. Unfortunately, I am not surprised by his reply. More people on the methadone treatment programme are dying than ever before. It does not make a difference whether 8,000 or 9,000 people are on the methadone treatment list because those taking the substance are in the middle of a life sentence. One can spend upwards of nine years on methadone.

The Minister of State and I recently visited a project in Bluebell where many people have been on the methadone treatment programme for several years. They are trying to get their lives back and hope to be free from drugs some day.

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