Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

On the relationship between alcohol and drugs, I take the point of Senator Fitzgerald that a holistic approach is needed. I am strongly of the view that there is a significant role for parents which is being neglected at present. There are various relevant groups such as community groups, local authority fora in which the local police are involved, residents' associations and public representatives. However, the effort is failing because parents are not meeting their responsibilities. I was present at a forum last week which discussed this issue and which was attended by many parents every one of whom stated that the core issue is looking after children, from the very young, through school and up to third level education, and that they would not be there discussing the matter if children were well supervised.

I also wish to raise the slow implementation of urban and rural renewal projects. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, should come to the House to explain how we can speed up the implementation of projects. There is considerable bureaucracy involved. I am dealing with a project which has been on hold for three years due to bureaucracy in the legal section of the local authority. The Minister has a significant role to play. It would be a useful exercise for him to come to the House to discuss the matter.