Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I thank all those who participated in this enlightened debate on a subject I fear we are not addressing. Senator Brady outlined the availability of ice, which is cheaper than speed, and its highly addictive qualities. The Senator made his case eloquently. It is a serious problem facing many communities.

Senator Henry mentioned the great success of the drugs initiative projects. She asked if there was a point in producing studies and reports when more than 1,000 workers are involved in CE drug related projects. The Minister of State has not given us an assurance that these jobs will be saved. We have all spoken about drug-related crime. It was stated that many of the horrible deaths are not gangland related, but drug related. Many young people are becoming involved in these crimes.

Senator Morrissey named a leading celebrity in Ireland who openly admitted taking drugs and who made it seem sophisticated. However, it is not sophisticated; it is damaging. Alcohol is a legal drug. Unfortunately, however, people take an extra ingredient which causes them to become violent. I live in a small town where 20 years ago people came out of pubs having consumed a lot of alcohol. However, there is now a more sinister threat from speed and other such addictive substances, which we must tackle.

As regards the deployment of resources, someone said that an extra 2,000 gardaí will not make any difference. I believe they would be a big help. When the Government made that promise at the last general election, the electorate expected that the extra gardaí would be recruited immediately. No one told the people about the problems in Templemore. They were told that 2,000 gardaí would be put on the streets to deal with crime and drugs, but that has not happened. Will we be told before the next general election that extra gardaí will be put on the streets and that more people will be put on CE schemes? People will not believe that.

This is an important subject. Some areas of Dublin have been tainted by the blight of drugs, while other areas are drug free. Time is of the essence. We cannot allow this drug culture to take root because if that happens, we will spend more money trying to eradicate the problem.

Amendment put.

The Seanad divided: Tá, 27; Níl, 20.

Tá

Brady, Cyprian.

Brennan, Michael.

Callanan, Peter.

Cox, Margaret.

Daly, Brendan.

Dooley, Timmy.

Feeney, Geraldine.

Glynn, Camillus.

Hanafin, John.

Kett, Tony.

Kitt, Michael P.

Leyden, Terry.

Lydon, Donal J.

Mansergh, Martin.

Minihan, John.

Mooney, Paschal C.

Morrissey, Tom.

Moylan, Pat.

O'Brien, Francis.

Ó Murchú, Labhrás.

O'Rourke, Mary.

Ormonde, Ann.

Phelan, Kieran.

Scanlon, Eamon.

Walsh, Jim.

White, Mary M.

Wilson, Diarmuid.