Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have raised the devastating impact illegal drugs are having on individuals, families and communities right across our country in this House on many occasions. In February, I was very glad that the Minister, Deputy Harris, in response to my parliamentary questions, outlined that new legislative measures would be introduced. He referred to specific provisions including an increase in the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from ten years to life in prison to deal with those who direct gangland and drug-related crime and legislation to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime. These measures need to be introduced without delay. The criminals who peddle drugs and deal in the destruction of life must have their ill-gotten gains seized and those evil people must be taken out of circulation in our communities. I am specifically speaking about major drug dealers who unfortunately now have a presence right throughout our country, and not just in our major urban centres. Every county and major town is now cursed by them. This epidemic needs to be dealt with. We all know that many decent and good young people have fallen prey to these illegal products, which have literally destroyed their lives.

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