Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I join my colleague, Senator Keaveney, in welcoming the decision of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, Deputy Curran, to ban the 'party pill', BZP, yesterday under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997. I call on the Leader to have a debate here on the national drugs strategy, with particular emphasis on the head shops that are springing up under various names in towns and villages all over the country. They facilitate the purchase of equipment that encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances. I call on the Leader to hold that debate urgently.

While I welcome the Government's decision to ban the party pill, we have a long way to go in respect of these shops. I compliment my colleagues, Senators McFadden and Keaveney, who, like me, have raised this issue here several times. I congratulate them on their work in bringing about this ban.