Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to address this issue. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, who has responsibility in this area, and Ms Grainne Kenny, the international president of Europe Against Drugs. Ms Kenny has been an activist in this field and I worked with her from 1987 to 1989 in the Department of Health when I was national chairman of the national drugs advisory committee. She played a very good and consistent role. At that time, we had problems with cocaine and heroin and other drugs flooding inner city Dublin, in particular. The one thing about which Ms Kenny has always been consistent is not legalising any drug which would lead people into a life of drug dependency.

In the past week or two a head shop called High Times has opened on Castle Street, Roscommon town, in my constituency. It has caused consternation, to say the least. A public meeting was held last Wednesday night in Gleeson's in Roscommon Town which was addressed by Ms Grainne Kenny. A further public meeting will be held tonight. A group is campaigning outside the shop each day and a vigil is being held by concerned parents. It has come as a major shock to the people of Roscommon and the surrounding area that such a shop could open legally. There are probably 100 such shops all over Ireland.

The Minister outlined the action the Government will take, which confirms what the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, said in Mullingar last week. I appreciate that it is a difficult issue, that the chief chemist is here and that the Government is aware of the situation and is trying to do the best it can to introduce legislation. It would be better if it could bring the timescale forward. However, if it is rushed legislation, it might not be very effective, but some action must be taken in this regard as quickly as possible.

Chris Luke, an accident and emergency consultant in Cork University Hospital and the Mercy University Hospital, outlined the situation in Cork in the Mail on Sunday on 17 January 2010. He expressed grave concern and referred to six cases of three men and three women all in their early 20s. He stated:

They were having psychotic episodes, were disorientated and hallucinating; they could not sleep and were disruptive and chaotic. One had to be given sedatives and be sent to a darkened room for 18 hours for his agitation to subside - a classic symptom of illegal drug use.

The Joe Duffy radio show has highlighted this issue and it is about time we took the action required. The Government Whip, Senator Wilson, has highlighted this issue for 18 months and got some of the drugs on sale banned. It is vital action is taken immediately to ban as many of these substances as possible.

These shops are technically legal at this point. The landlord in Roscommon town said he was not aware that one of these head shops was being opened. His auctioneer probably did not advise him of that. He entered into a lease out of which he cannot get. He faces great difficulty and said it was the worst business decision he ever made. It is certain to have a bad effect on the area and the town. The Minister of State, Deputy Curran, has spoken about the planning area. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is examining the areas of product liability and public liability insurance that are required. In terms of planning, a shop can legally open without informing anybody and without anybody being in a position to object.

We must also look at the opening hours of these shops, some of which are outrageous. They are open up to 4 a.m. The threat in respect of the shop in Roscommon town is that it will open 24 hours per day and that people are available 24 hours per day to provide these drugs.

I was quite astonished to find that legal substances have been available all the time, as I am sure Ms Kenny and others who have been involved in these campaigns over the years were. Methadone is on prescription and it is substitute drug given to people who are trying to wean themselves off drugs. However, some of these drugs are very strong. Given the publicity arising from what has happened in Roscommon Town, young people are now more aware of the existence of these drugs. As legislators, it is our responsibility to take action to ban them.

All these shops need to do is bring in products, which they can buy on the Internet, and have a VAT number. If we banned these drugs, the Customs and Excise could seize the packages of drugs being sent to shops. However, it opens up a new field. We were used to the drugs which were prescribed and named. Unbelievable synthetic drugs have come onto the market in the past number of years. Big money is being made under a so-called legal heading.

The Minister of State's speech in Mullingar was spot on. He outlined exactly what action he is taking. It is something which has hit the public quite unexpectedly but it will cost lives. Young people and older people can obtain such treatments or drugs and have no idea what effect they will have on them. They could have major psychiatric effects on them. It is something which we, as legislators, have a responsibility to prevent. If the Minister of State can introduce a ban on some of the drugs which are currently being sold it will make things more difficult for the shops involved and they will have to remove the products concerned from sale - he can talk to his officials in this regard. Such a ban could be introduced by order or legislation.

Magic mushrooms were banned by the Minister, Deputy Harney, who introduced an order under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A short-term solution could be reached by naming drugs, listing them and issuing an order. At least gardaí could go onto a premises and remove such drugs if they are not removed by the people involved. Such a measure would bring the timescale forward. The House has a very busy schedule ahead of it. The Finance Bill will come before the House and other matters will take priority. The Bill could be left until the autumn.

Every day a shop is left open there is a danger that one person or ten more young people will be affected. The Minister of State may take a draconian decision. If the legislation is challenged, so be it. Let it be challenged by the owners of the shops concerned if it is unconstitutional or not in order. At least it will show the public that we are serious about this issue. I again emphasis that June is too late. I would like to see an order or Bill introduced by March at the latest. I do not see why this cannot happen. There is enough research around the world to make a decision on the issue.

If I was in opposition I would be tempted to introduce a Private Members' Bill and put it up to people, but I would need a lot of research in that regard.