Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The additional time that has been afforded to me in the consultation process will certainly be used to address some of the issues the Deputy raised. She is correct that some of the people involved, including project workers, have expressed certain concerns to me. While they support the changes and the new regulations I intend to introduce, there are ancillary issues which they wish to have addressed. I understand their point and I will continue to meet and engage with them.

In addition, the Deputy will be aware that next January we will set up a new consultative process across the system for bolstering the national drugs strategy. Previously, we had certain processes that worked well. They had to be reviewed, and we have done that. A new national co-ordinating committee will be set up in January and on 16 January I will host a conference to which all of the interested parties will be invited, including project workers, national drugs task forces and people involved nationally and locally. That will be an important focus for us. The issue the Deputy raises, which she has raised previously in the House, will certainly be addressed at that meeting, as well as the issue of alcohol in the context of that forum.

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