Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I recently called for a debate on the emergence of crack cocaine across the north inner city. We must highlight its dangers and the involvement of west African gangs in this horrible trade. I congratulate the Garda on the arrest of three men and the seizure of cocaine to the value of €3.5 million, but not enough is being done. We in this country must wake up to the dangers of what crack cocaine could do if it takes root.

We need a Minister for drug enforcement, not a Minister with À la carte responsibility, to ensure we have resources and funding, that these dangerous criminals will be tackled and that drugs, especially crack cocaine, will be off our streets immediately. We are on the brink of a major epidemic and we would want to wake up sooner rather than later.