Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

This co-ordination is the key to the progress made so far. The drug strategy introduced in late 2001 was a very far-sighted initiative and has paid very significant dividends on the streets. Whatever about the input by people on drugs to the rioting last Saturday, it is not true that the vast majority of the rioters were from Dublin's north inner city, as certain commentators stated. The addresses of those arrested show they came from all over the city.

We deal with the drugs issue every day. Dublin has probably the most active local drugs task force in the country. It was one of the first to be set up. Contrary to popular myth, the task forces were not set up under Deputy Rabbitte when he was in Government. He initiated the idea but unfortunately, when Fianna Fáil got into government, we found there was no money to implement the strategy. We allocated the money.