Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

God help the poor plants as the ingredients are described as being ketones mix, herbal extracts and glucose. This is alarming and is highly dangerous. A selection of products were freely available in the shop without regulation. Moreover, no one asked me what I intended to do with the pills or how I intended to take them. There is a complete free-for-all in respect of the sale of such products in the shops. Serious concern exists among parents, health professionals and young people. The problem is that such products are not regulated and are legal. They are being sold as legal highs and people are buying them who would not use illegal drugs at all but who find themselves in a sorry and sad state. Someone will end up in a highly serious condition unless something is done to regulate such products and to ensure that their sale is controlled.

The Minister of State should outline exactly what the Government proposes to do regarding this issue about which demonstrations are taking place. There was a demonstration today about the situation in County Roscommon and public meetings are being held nationwide. Parents want to see action in this regard as the present position is not good enough. While the Minister of State probably thinks it is amusing that I was able to buy this product so freely, it is frightening to enter such an establishment and see the number of products that are for sale on an uncontrolled basis. It is simply a case of handing over the €30 in cash. This is a serious situation as 100 such shops exist nationally. While there has been much media coverage on this issue, the most important consideration for me is the concern expressed by medical professionals about the complete lack of control over such products.

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