Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the more than 18 Members who have raised many important issues on the Order of Business. I begin by joining Senator Ardagh, who called for a debate and legislation to deal with the use and misuse of prescription drugs. She will find no argument on that from this side of the House. The figures she recited were in yesterday's report and we have heard about the traumatic impact the issue has had on the lives of people, including victims and the families left behind. It is a matter of extreme importance and not just at this time of the year, as the nights get longer and people take more chances on the road. It is an issue we need to come back to. There is a need for active legislation on this issue and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House on it. The Senator makes the point and perhaps we should speak about having a cross-party group around this significant issue. Such use of prescription drugs is increasing and the monitoring of it is decreasing. I am concerned that more people are being killed by drug misuse, alcohol misuse and the misuse of prescription drugs. The Senator is right to raise the matter and I would be happy to speak to her again about it. It is important that we combat the horrific rise in the rate of deaths on our roads, whether they arise from alcohol, speed or the misuse of prescription drugs. We must be vigilant and work together to eliminate the problem.