Denis Landy (Labour)

I want to address the rise in the number of cannabis growing factories nationally. In my town this weekend, a cannabis factory was discovered by local gardaí. I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Justice and Equality to address that issue. Currently, one can legally import cannabis seed via the Internet or directly from anywhere in the world. Legislation is not in place to prevent this from happening. The Garda and the customs service have been extremely successful in preventing cannabis from being brought here through ports and airports, but this is a new industry in which cannabis seed is legally brought in. It only becomes illegal when the seed is germinated. We must address this issue urgently. In my own area of Carrick-on-Suir over the weekend and a number of weeks ago in Mooncoin, County Kilkenny two large cannabis factories were discovered in residential houses by the Garda. We must close down such factories. The Minister must come into the House to discuss the introduction of legislation to prevent cannabis seed from being imported legally and then becoming an illegal product.

To answer Senator Thomas Byrne with regard to the formation of groups, he might allow one or two of his own a free transfer to the group he wants to be allowed to form.