Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I am quite simple in my approach and we must eradicate drugs from our society. To do this requires political leadership, more resources for the Garda for enforcement, better use of the courts and help for young people through education.

The advertising campaign on the issue this spring was ineffective. We must learn from the mistakes that have been made and go forward. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, will, like a new broom, bring an enlightened vision to this area. I look forward to his input and he will not face difficulties from this side of the House. However, he should not come to this House to tell us all is well when his party has been in Government for the past 11 years and has never had more money at its disposal. Like everything his party has done in Government, it has blown it on this issue. We are talking about people, young and old, not commodities or statistics. They are our fellow citizens. Some of them have died, some are struggling and, thankfully, some have been rehabilitated. It is the job of Senators on this side of the House to point out deficiencies and challenge the Government to lead.