Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. His colleague, Deputy Crowe, was good enough to talk to me about it the other day and I am aware he has brought forward a Private Members' Bill on this and I have given him an undertaking that I will consider it and engage with him when it is scheduled to be debated. I also note that the Child Care Act 1991 falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and I think there is some interaction there in terms of that Private Members' Bill.

I have been informed by Garda authorities, and I will seek more information for the Deputy on this, that a number of significant seizures of canisters containing nitrous oxide have been made in recent years so I am pushing back slightly on the view that nothing is being done. This is an issue An Garda Síochána is taking very seriously. The Deputy may wish to note that both the HSE and An Garda Síochána are aware of the issues surrounding nitrous oxide. The HSE is committed to increasing awareness of health risks associated with substance misuse, including nitrous oxide. That education piece is also important among young people, parents and youth organisations.

An Garda Síochána will continue to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing across the country. I understand the gardaí recently seized 2,000 canisters of nitrous oxide, alongside €2.8 million worth of cocaine.

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