Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

That is essential. If we are serious about allowing people onto the roads, the issue of health and safety must come into play. That is one of the difficulties the Minister of State should tackle.

The Minister of State has stated that there is no quick fix to this problem. This is why we are discussing the matter this evening. We must be flexible in attitudes and policies, awaiting the second national drugs prevalence survey, which was to be completed in November 2007, for an up-to-date picture of usage of cocaine. The Government takes a proactive, decisive and co-ordinated approach towards that matter.

The €50 million allocated in the 2007 budget, an increase of 16%, shows a clear continued Government commitment. That is a significant rise over 2006 and is 87% more than the 2004 figure. The commitment to what the Minister of State is doing is evident.

Some €200 million was spent across the various Departments in 2006. The new programme for the period 2009-16 is being prepared, plus the drafting of the new national drugs strategy will involve an approximate spend of €52 million during 2008. This will see a substantially increased focus on rehabilitation and ensure we go that extra mile to help people regain their capacity for daily life following the impact of a drug problem.

Since the pre-budget outlook, the Minister of State has added €12.5 million to fund the implementation of the recommendations of the national drug strategy rehabilitation report. This additional funding will allow for the development and strengthening of the local drugs task forces and for the roll-out of services to new commuter-belt towns.

There is also a commitment to spend an extra €64.3 million on the global drugs initiative and young people's facilities and services fund, an increase of 29% over 2007 levels of spending. All Senators would agree that is a significant amount of funding and shows the commitment of the Minister of State in that regard.

Capital funding under what is known as the "Premises Initiative" is open to applications for community-based accommodation needs. The national drugs strategy team-prepared joint briefing paper on cocaine use in 2006 brought together all data on cocaine use in Ireland detailing an increased usage albeit from a low base.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin points out it is the personal responsibility of the individual to consider the negative implications of his or her behaviour on other people when taking so-called recreational drugs. That spells out clearly that one must take responsibility for what one does.