Vol. 520 No. 4
21 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if guidelines exist setting out the frequency that local drugs task forces should meet having regard to the fact that a person (details supplied) nominated to one such task force in November 1999 has not yet been notified of a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15909/00]
While there are no formal guidelines setting out the frequency of local drugs task force meetings, the task force referred to in the Deputy's question meets, on average, every three weeks.
The task force is located in the Dublin Corporation and, to a lesser extent, the South Dublin County Council electoral areas. In view of this, I understand the task force issued letters on 22 October 1999, inviting Dublin Corporation to nominate three councillors and inviting South Dublin County Council to nominate one councillor to participate in its work.
On 30 May 2000, Dublin Corporation replied to this correspondence, forwarding details of its three nominees. I am informed that the task force is still awaiting a reply from South Dublin County Council and has issued a reminder, requesting it to forward its nomination at its earliest convenience. I have asked the National Drugs Strategy Team to make contact with the county council in order that what appears to have been an oversight can be sorted out as soon as possible.
Does the Minister agree the person who is the subject of this question and a former Member of this House has been treated very badly? I understand he was nominated last November and has still not attended a meeting of the task force. Does the Minister agree that the fact that local authorities are not responding to correspondence from the drugs task forces reflects on his overall stewardship? Does he agree delays such as this should not occur and that a proper monitoring system should be put in place to ensure this type of time lag does not occur in regard to an operation which is so vital to an enormous social problem in our society?
A handbook on the task forces was issued in which we urged public representatives to become involved in the task forces. The person in question is eminently suited to being a member of the task force. The local authorities in question received correspondence on this matter to which Dublin Corporation replied, nominating three people, but to which South Dublin County Council did not reply. I am not sure whether it is a mix up.
But some seven or eight months later.
I agree and I do not believe that is acceptable but, in general, the task forces have done a fantastic job over the past number of years and I would not criticise them. They are under a great deal of pressure and some of the work is done on a voluntary basis. This issue will be resolved. There has been a problem with public representatives being on task forces, but everywhere I go I urge local drug task forces to engage local representatives and bring them on board. This case can be resolved. Obviously there is a breakdown in communications somewhere along the line.
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Ryan, for his response. I take it that he will see to it that this matter is resolved quickly. It is equally important that he should carry out a study of what is happening to make sure that there are no similar situations. If there are similar situations, he should make sure that they are rectified immediately.
Does the Deputy have a question?
Yes. Will the Minister of State give the House an undertaking that he will make sure that there is no such logjam regarding membership of these committees and that he will set about immediately establishing the situation and taking immediate and urgent action if there are other problems?
Yes, I will. As I said, when I spoke to local drug task forces I urged them to include local public representatives. I must say, in fairness to the local drug task forces, that there has been a mixed response from many public representatives. I am not saying that this is the case here because, as I said, this person is eminently suitable for it, but some public representatives have not responded positively. However, I will check to see if there are other public representatives who sought membership of the task forces and for one reason or another have not been able to do so.
All the projects in which the drug task forces are engaged are being assessed to see if we can mainstream them and move them along. The task forces are extremely busy. They are doing a great deal of work, as the Deputy will be aware. However, I will find out if there is a problem with other public representatives being unable to gain membership of local drug task forces.
