Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

There is no question that head shops present a real day-to-day threat to the physical and psychological well-being of young people because they sell mind altering substances. They use the cover of legality for this and that makes them particularly sinister. It is a countrywide problem. In my constituency it is a problem in the towns of both Cavan and Monaghan which have such shops. In that context I acknowledge the campaigning work of my colleague, Senator Wilson, in attempting to have the head shop in Cavan town closed.

These shops present a real threat to parents and young people. One regularly receives harrowing reports from parents of their experiences in this regard. The difficulties are many, but the recently banned substance, BZP, has been replaced by a substance known as mephadrone or "meow meow" in the jargon. The substance was already banned but has been reintroduced in this form, which is particularly frightening and underscores the difficulties we confront. A packet called "Blow - Intense Euphoria" which contains five pills is priced at €30, so it is within the purchasing power of too many young people.

Strategies must be put in place to deal with this. One I commend to the Minister for instant use is our planning laws. There should be a requirement to secure a change of use permission for such premises, and there should be potential to stop the building at planning stage, or at least to ensure restrictions at that stage. There should also be an investigative process and a facility for local people to object. Undoubtedly, the planning laws should be brought to bear on this issue. Similarly, consideration should be given to the control of substances through the Irish Medicines Board and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The Misuse of Drugs Act does not prescribe as illegal a number of the substances being sold in these shops. That must be addressed.

I welcome the Minister's commitment to do something within a month on this matter. It is of such urgency that something must happen within a month. I also acknowledge the bona fides of the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, on this issue. I urge that within a month a programme of steps to deal with it is brought before the House. In that context, I have no difficulty supporting Senator Wilson's suggestion of an all-party working group to enhance that process.

Not only must we address this problem through planning laws, the Misuse of Drugs Act, food labelling and the Irish Medicines Board, we must also put a recreational structure in place in our towns. For example, Cavan town should have a skate park. There should be a drop-in centre in every town, with an infrastructure and comfortable ambience in which young people can congregate, relax and chat. Every town should also have athletic facilities of maximum quality, recession or not. We must match recreational facilities of the greatest quality with an education and awareness raising programme.

This issue requires a multi-faceted and immediate response. There has been very effective campaigning on it by my colleague in the Dáil, Deputy James Reilly, and others. However, there must be a response within a month. Parents want to see action. To give the graphic and horrible reality of this problem, there have been sexual assaults and violence of an unparalleled nature as a result of the use of these substances, as well as people jumping from buildings and engaging in all sorts of bizarre behaviour. Parents tell harrowing stories. There is also a loss of interest in education, loss of self respect and a consequent demotivation of the person. It is a problem of the most urgent and grave seriousness. This is probably the most important debate we have held in the House for a long time because the issue has the most impact on the lives of the people for whom we have responsibility.