Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 20 Senators who spoke for their contributions to the Order of Business. Senators Ardagh, Ruane and Ó Ríordáin made reference to yesterday's launch of the national strategy on drug and alcohol use in Ireland. I welcome that it is a health-led response. I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Catherine Byrne, on her role. I compliment the former Minister of State, Senator Ó Ríordáin, for the strong leadership he displayed in the Department when he was there. I commend John Carr on his work on the strategy. I wish to echo the Taoiseach's remarks. We adopted a national road safety strategy campaign and approach. The issue of drugs and alcohol requires an integrated strategy. That is why we have an approach to take us from 2017 to 2025. The way forward must be in an integrated public health approach. It must address the issue of why people resort to the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Obviously, it must understand and address why there is a development of problems, not only in certain areas but across society.

Let us consider the issue. I watched last night's edition of "Tonight with Vincent Browne" on which Senators Ó Ríordáin and Ruane appeared with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Catherine Byrne. It is not about marginalised communities per se; it is about the value we put on the actions out of the report launched yesterday with 50 key actions. It is about reducing harm. It is about supporting recovery and supporting people. It is a people-centred approach that we have put in place. I commend the Minister of State on the work she has done. I commend the report and the strategy in particular because it is about ensuring that we have a public health response led by a cross-section of Departments, especially the Department of Health. This is a positive way forward. I would be happy for the Minister of State to come before the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Ardagh stated that there are no timelines. The timeline is the report itself, as well as the 50 actions arising from it. It is a new departure for Ireland's drug policy.

I have to give Senator Ó Ríordáin credit for the work he did and for the courage he showed in challenging the system and the value that was part of the system. To be fair to him and the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, they stood firm in the face of opposition. I know that Senator Ó Ríordáin might think that we are having a love fest this morning.