Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully agree. We must and will always support people overcoming addiction. I welcome the establishment of the Citizens' Assembly on drugs. As a former Minster for Health, I know the importance of a health-led approach to supporting those going through addiction and their families. That is not what we are talking about. What I am talking about is the so-called social use of drugs, as it were. I am referring to those who go out for a pint and accompany that pint with the taking of drugs. We have got to start calling this out. There is a direct link and correlation between that so-called social activity and lining the pockets of these criminal gangs. We cannot have a situation where people do one thing at the weekend and then start abhorring the criminality the next week. By supporting it, they are helping to fund it. Have met senior gardaí on this, I am very satisfied, from my conversations with them, that they are taking it extremely seriously. There is very clear law that applies to licensed premises and social venues in relation to these matters. There are Garda operations in this space and there will be more. I want this message to go out and be amplified, as the Deputy has suggested.

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