Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am only here a few weeks. I was very taken by the Minister of State's very passionate argument. She has made a cogent case. I am impressed. I do not doubt the Minister of State's commitment and her track record in her own constituency. She is someone who comes with a long tradition of consultation and engagement in her community. I want it to put it on record that I have been amazed by her contribution here. She has come across with passion and conviction. It is not the usual old script that is read into the record. I am impressed by the way she has stood up and her understanding of her community. I held a different view but having listened to the Minister of State that is somewhat changed. That is important. It is the job of any Minister to come to the House and make a strong case for his or her argument and I thank her for doing so.

In terms of future plans and timetabling, the Minister of State has stated that she wants to bring forward legislation. When will that happen? We need to strike a balance because what Senator Ruane has said is also true. That is the dichotomy and the dilemma we are faced with but there is a will to do something. Can the Minister of State reassure us by telling us when the Portuguese model will be rolled out? What about the four acute detox beds? What is she going to do about that? She is the Minister of State. Can she give me and the Seanad an undertaking that this will be her No. 1 priority next week? In two weeks' time what if I call the Minister of State back to the House and ask her, "What have you done about the four detox beds?" She made the valid point that people who wish to be rehabilitated have nowhere to go and there is no further progression for them. I want to hear about timescales and timeframes. Has she enough resources and money to provide services? There is also the issues of the detox beds and rehabilitation. Two valid arguments have been made here. I would be inclined to support the Minister of State is she can convince us in terms of the timeframe being within a matter of weeks, rather than months.