Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I find it very difficult to understand how, while discussing the strategy, alternatives are never discussed. In this context, I fail to understand the reason that all sporting organisations have not been contacted. Something must be put in place to attract young people away from the misuse of drugs. Given that so much money has been spent on grants to various sporting organisations, those facilities should be used to attract young people away from the drug barons who are trying to destroy their lives on a daily basis.

Although I am deeply involved in the GAA, I have yet to visit a GAA facility or attend a meeting at which I have heard a single word about a local drugs task force, a meeting or anything similar. It is difficult to understand that although so much money is spent in capital outlay to the aforementioned organisations, the two matters do not appear to be tied together. This Department pertains to community matters and to providing for the community and I fail to understand why attempts are not made to try to drive an alternative to get the youngsters involved. While I acknowledge the associations can only do so much in this regard, a combination of all groups is required.

Before the announcement of the strategy, I ask the Minister of State to facilitate the holding of a seminar on this issue, to which all sporting organisations are invited. He should demonstrate his willingness to lead on this matter because that is his job. He should provide a lead in combining all sports organisations to ensure that progress will be made.

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