Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. I thank Senator Brian Hayes for calling for this debate, which I welcome. I had not intended to speak on this matter, but I feel obliged to do so.

The Minister of State said that he has consulted various groups and organisations throughout the city. I would like to put on the record of the House that drug addiction is not just a problem in Dublin. Members, including Senator Ó Murchú, have mentioned that it is a problem in every part of the country, including rural towns.

We can divide drugs problems into two categories – those we can see and those we cannot. A recent "Prime Time" documentary showed people flowing on to the streets in the early hours of the morning, leading to trouble. Viewers could see that drink and drugs were causing violence and damage to property. However, we do not see the domestic violence, robberies and murders perpetrated by those under the influence of such substances. Although we know that excessive drinking, violence and drug-taking occur, we do not seem able to take steps to stop such behaviour. Nobody seems to know why we cannot solve these problems.