Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State's response and ask him to elaborate on the constitutional barriers to reducing the length of time from seven to three years. It would be beneficial if the funds were to come on stream in a shorter period than seven years. The Minister of State might expand on any constitutional prohibition on such a reduction.

My amendment No. 2 proposes the insertion of a definition of "drug related initiatives" into the Bill as meaning, "voluntary and State funded programmes established to discourage people from taking drugs, or established to assist in the rehabilitation of drug users". The insertion of this definition would enable the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to ensure that the proceeds of crime seized by the State are applied to the appropriate organisations and initiatives, which are focused on addressing the damage caused by those engaged in illegal drug activity. The three amendments are being discussed together but I ask the Minister of State to explain why the constitutional prohibition must be seven years. Can it not be reduced? Will the Minister of State accept the amendment relating to drug-related initiatives, as proposed?