Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I am concerned and worried that so many children and teenagers are getting involved in drug gangs. Our response must be one that is tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. That means more resources for the Garda and tackling poverty and deprivation. We are doing both of those things, and will continue to do so.

We discussed Deputy Curran's Bill at Cabinet on Tuesday and the Government will support it. We think there are some issues with it and we do not want to inadvertently criminalise children, which I acknowledge is not the intent of the Bill. The intent of the Bill is to strengthen the law and make it absolutely clear that children should not be used to sell drugs. We support the thrust of the Bill and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, will work with Deputy Curran to refine it on Committee Stage.

See this speech in context