Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

Some weeks ago a very important meeting was held in Dublin under the auspices of the Health Service Executive, where community and voluntary organisations, the Garda Síochána and others were brought together to construct a response to the alarming increase in the number of young people now being drawn into the drugs scene. It would be important to discuss the initiative being taken by the HSE, which suggested the initiation of a national forum involving many organisations that deal with young people in this area.

It would be important if we could get some indication from the relevant Ministers as to how the Government proposes to respond to the alarming increases in the availability of drugs in every area. This will bring about consequences, especially for young people. We should examine how we can respond to the issue in the various constituencies.