James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Minister's rejection of the claim that the Government's response to headshops has been inadequate is astounding. Deputy Feighan raised the matter of headshops in the Dáil in April 2008, over two years ago, yet we have had to wait until 18 May 2010 for some action on banned substances. This has been a lethargic approach. How many of our young people have been damaged as a consequence of this approach? Yesterday at an inquest, the coroner identified that a 19 year old girl in County Kildare died from a combination of heroin and products bought in headshops.

Members have raised the matter numerous times, asking for several initiatives to be taken. The forthcoming legislation from the Minister for Justice and Law Reform is to be welcomed. The HSE confirmed during a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children that 36 headshops were operating in the State. A parliamentary question has revealed that by 10 June this number increased to 48. How many are open now? How many have re-opened? Can the Minister guarantee the House that this legislation will be enacted before the summer recess?

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