John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

It would be very difficult for the national drugs strategy to fall under the remit of any one Department. We talk about health, rehabilitation and treatment, which is one very clear area. Earlier I answered a question on providing additional recreational and sporting facilities. It is specifically because of its diverse nature that we need somebody co-ordinating it rather than having one specialist Department with a lead role. It is based on a number of very clear and specific pillars, including the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I believe we need another Department and another Minister — it need not necessarily be me and if the Deputy wants to get rid of me, that is fine. Other than the key agencies that are delivering specifics in the areas of health, education, etc., it needs an overall co-ordinating role, otherwise, some of the very relevant aspects the Deputy seeks would be overlooked. They would not be seen as relevant and would not be in the pecking order.

Deputy Byrne spoke about centres closing in the evenings, which I have witnessed in certain areas. It has never been the practice, nor will it ever be the case, that every facility will be able to operate at all times and every club and organisation would have full-time paid staff. We need to go back to where we came from, which is the ordinary volunteerism in our community and people being involved with young people in youth clubs. I grew up in an era, as I am sure Deputy Byrne did, in which I did not know a single paid youth worker or sports officer — they did not exist. While we have introduced them and they are great, the whole area of volunteering is still as relevant today and we all have a role to play in that regard. We cannot have our young people constantly looked after and facilities provided without our input as parents. It would be awful to think of sending my children to a football match if I were not prepared to drive them or go and help. Parents have a role to play as volunteers as much as anything else.

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