Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last week I spoke in favour of the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 presented by the Minister. In his contribution, the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, outlined the reason the Bill is required. He said drug dealers carry relatively small quantities of drugs on their person and this then makes it difficult for authorities to proceed with sale or supply charges. Having spoken to representatives of community groups in the areas most affected by these substances, I cannot support the two amendments proposed by Senator Lynn Ruane and Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. These community groups have expressed the view that making these small quantities illegal prevents drug pushers from operating and therefore prevents young people from falling into the cycle of drug addiction. I accept the contributions from Senators who have outlined that this will not help the addicts. That is unfortunate. Perhaps Senator Colm Burke's suggestion that these amendments be incorporated into an overall strategy for addiction services could be taken on board, because it is important that we help addicts. It was clear from the debate last week that adequate addiction services are not in place for addicts of all substances, but particularly those set out in the Schedule to the Bill.

I call on the Minister of State to outline her response to the amendments and to the requests in the House. While I welcome the Bill, I will not be supporting the amendments.