Eoghan Harris (Independent)

No one is being shot in the back of the head because of addiction to alcohol. The war against drugs has lasted the best part of a century in America. At the end of it, the addiction problem and the criminal problem is great. If we are to have a debate it should be open and free, with thinking the matter through to the bitter end.

I honestly confess that much of the stuff about cocaine and drugs was a mystery to me and still is. I pay tribute to the "Prime Time Investigates" programme last night. We have often said hard things about RTE in respect of the recent ridiculous carry on following Ms Justine Delaney-Wilson's book. The truth is, most RTE programmes are of the standard of Ms KeelinShanley's brilliant "Prime Time Investigates" programme last night. The factual area of RTE, which has come in for criticism, has been responsible for brilliant programmes on Liam Clancy, mental health, Coolacrease, Frank Aiken and the "Hidden History Series". When the joint committee on communications meets I hope it will balance on the scale all the good work RTE does against the odd error it makes. On the scale on balance RTE comes out well ahead on factual and investigative programmes.

There are two problems in relation to drugs that we might flag for this debate. The first is the problem of adults taking drugs which raises the questions raised by Senator Regan. He began with a statement on human liberty, the supply and demand side. We have to deal with the right of adults to decide what to do with their lives. Second, is the need to protect young people from drugs, the way we protect them from alcohol, smoking and so on. Let us face the fact that none of the young people was watching "Prime Time Investigates" last night.