Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his questions. As regards the development of what is termed mini-CAB, that is in the programme for Government. I can confirm to the House that the Garda Commissioner again confirmed last night that there are already what are called asset profilers operating in the north inner city area, as well as in other areas of the country. This is important because we want to be seen to interrupt drug dealing and give a clear message to local communities that we are supporting them in interrupting this trade. The Garda Síochána is continuing with its prosecutions but is also looking at the assets of drug dealers in that area and in others. I will also urgently examine the legislation underpinning this in order to make it stronger.

Drugs legislation is a priority for the Minister for Health and will be brought forward as soon as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that the reason for a delay was that a Supreme Court case was being heard on the issue. We will also have a new national drugs strategy and work is advanced on that. There will be a lot of consultation on that in the course of the next few months and it will be published this year.

As regards the Deputy's point on the recess, I can confirm that the summer recess is a matter for the Dáil. A new business committee will be established over the next few weeks as a result of recommendations made in the report of the Dáil reform committee, which is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle. The new business committee will seek to work through a process of consensus. I suggest that the Dáil business committee should be given time to consider this issue. Any discussion of dates at the moment is speculation until those discussions are held and concluded.

I can confirm that the legislation on victims' rights is a priority. It will be published this term. In fact, the implementation has already started on the EU victims' rights directive since November last year. The gardaí have established an implementation programme as far as the directive is concerned. As I said yesterday, we need to have a sea change across the criminal justice system concerning victims. Victims need to be at the heart of that system.

I will ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to liaise directly with the Deputy concerning the dairy forum.

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