Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy does not give the young people of our State enough credit. They comprise a discerning group and the vast majority know that the substances on sale in the head shops are not substances that any normal, right-thinking person would want to take. However, of course there are youngsters who have entered head shops and who have become hooked on the substances on sale. That is a source of regret. The existing legislation was not sufficient because this was a new phenomenon. I understand the UK authorities announced the ban on mephedrone without obtaining approval of the Commission within three months. Therefore, the authorities would not be able to ground any prosecutions they would take. We have the confirmation and did use the emergency procedure because we regarded this matter as extremely urgent.

The Garda has been very conscious of the allegation that there is an element burning the head shops because they are bad for the business of the former. The Garda has been very active in investigating the burning and attacking of head shops and I understand a number of prosecutions may very well be taken in that respect.

With regard to Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point, a number of prosecutions for reckless endangerment were already taken and the cases are before the DPP. Existing legislation was being used, even before the most recent events.

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