Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on what is an important issue for this House and for the people. The Minister will agree that there is a subculture of activity which is being protected by certain drug lords who are importing massive amounts of drugs from Europe and other continents for what is commonly known as the Irish market.

We see from recent information from An Garda Síochána that former members of the IRA, and who is to say but perhaps even current members, are involved in the importation, distribution and selling of drugs and in criminality. The Minister and most Members of this House know the damage these drugs do to our society. The one area for which Members of this House have responsibility is giving good example. I am somewhat concerned about the messages sent occasionally by Members of this House and I refer specifically to Deputy Luke "Ming" Flanagan.

I add to illegal drugs and so-called "prescription drugs" the importation of illegal tobacco products which are mixed with toxic and damaging substances. It is often the stepping stone to cannabis use which, in turn, is the stepping stone to illicit drugs such as heroin, amphetamines and other such dangerous and toxic substances.

I refer to the purchase of drugs on the Internet, which are often purported to be cheaper, but they do not meet prescription standards. This is a major and growing problem, of which I know the Minister is aware. We do not know much about these drugs. How do we know what they contain? Two professional people in Cork died recently from so-called "bad batches" of drugs. When I was thinking about this last night, I wondered what Deputy Luke "Ming" Flanagan would have to say about such bad batches.

I would like to send a message from the House to every youth leader, community leader, parent, young person and citizen who is concerned about this issue that we should co-operate fully with the Garda and the authorities to stamp out this dreadful and heinous crime which is wrecking the lives of many people in every parish, village, town and city in Ireland.

I have seen in my constituency and from my experience as a community worker for many years how people are targeted in different ways, in particular through social media, social gatherings, in public houses and even on our streets. Last week I went into Dublin city for the first time in a long time and it was a frightening experience. My wife, who had recently been to New York, was with me and she said that in her experiences over the past couple of weeks, the one occasion in which she was most fearful was in Dublin city last weekend. I say that with great regret.

There is so much more I would like to discuss but I fully accept there is a time constraint and I am grateful to the Minister for coming to the House to respond to this topical issue.

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