Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise the head-shops issue with the Deputy Leader. We have had many debates here on this subject and regulations were subsequently introduced to ban psychotropic substances. According to a programme I heard yesterday, other substances are now being sold as bath salts, but they are considerably more dangerous to people's health than those sold previously. I am seeking advice on who pays for these evaluations. Many useful medicines must go through the Irish Medicines Board before they can be sold to the public. They would be advantageous to public health, yet they must undergo rigorous scrutiny and research before getting anywhere near a pharmacy. According to yesterday's programme, however, taxpayers are paying many thousands of euro per item sold in head-shops to ascertain whether they are psychotropic or otherwise dangerous. It seems unusual that we are paying through the nose for something that will kill us, whereas we cannot get healing products certified quickly for public sale. We must address this important issue.

We are told the most recent substance has been kept off the market deliberately so it can replace the initial wave of banned substances. It will be the next offensive in the war to get people involved in taking these awful substances. We must deal with them head on. I want clarity not only on who is paying for the research involved, but also on the recent legislation against head shops. We were told that anything potentially dangerous would immediately be banned, as opposed to waiting for two or three months.

As regards Senator Mullen's comments, it is great for women to get involved in women's issues. The issue of trafficking women for sexual exploitation will gain more traction when all members of each House take it as a serious issue.