asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in publishing the report of the working party on drug abuse.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Abuse Report.
6.
I do not accept that there has been delay in the publication of the report of the working party on drug abuse. I indicated in a reply to a question by Deputy Timmons on 30th March, 1971, that it was being examined in my Department. Since then arrangements for publication have been in train and these are now well advanced.
Would the Minister not admit that the drug problem is going from bad to worse and that many people think that Nero is fiddling while Rome is burning? Does he not think it is time that something definite was done to face up to this growing menace to our community?
We have already taken action. It would take too long to give the Deputy the details which have already been given in the House of the action we have taken in dealing with drug abuse. This report was examined from the first moment we had it in our hands. There was no delay in the publication of the report. The total length of time which has elapsed since I got it is about two months so I am not aware of any great delay.
Surely the Minister realises that if he is taking action he is the only member of the Government who is taking action on any matter?
That is absolute nonsense too, as the Deputy knows very well. If I were to list all the steps we have taken since 1969 to forward the economy that would take about two hours.
To ruin the economy.
Can the Minister explain how certain sections of that report happened to get to the news media if the report has not been published?
I have no knowledge of that but it certainly did not come from the officials of my Department. There is nothing of a secret character in this report and if some sections of it reached the public that would not greatly disturb me so long as they did not come from the officers of my Department which I know they did not.
Where else would they come from?
A number of people were concerned with the report. A number of bodies gave evidence of every kind.