asked the Minister for Justice his attitude towards the concerned parents' committees; and specifically if he regards them as a genuine community response to the heroin emergency.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Concerned Parents' Committees.
15.
I welcome involvement by local community groups — and, in particular, parental groups — in combating drug abuse, subject of course to their operating at all times within the law and with due regard for the rights of all citizens. In making the qualification that I have just made, I am not in any way implying that I have any reason to believe that any of the organisations referred to in the question have acted unlawfully or improperly but on the other hand I am not and could not be in a position to give anything in the nature of a specific endorsement to particular organisations.
Does the Minister agree that it was the failure of the Government to deal with the heroin problem that led to the formation of the concerned parents' committees and even now the failure of the Government to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Drug Abuse has led to a feeling of desperation in disadvantaged heroin-ravaged communities and that this has given rise to the popular view that the concerned parents' groups are doing more about the heroin problem in Dublin than the Government?
There are various organisations of parents who are deeply concerned about the drug problem. I would stress that there is nothing to suggest that the activities of the committees are other than a genuine effort towards the elimination of criminal activity in the field of drug abuse. An organisation called the National Federation of Parents of Drug Free Youth established in March 1983 represents parents' groups involved in community action against drug abuse. It is understood that there are approximately 45 such groups in Dublin, Dún Laoghaire and Wicklow. These groups follow an action and prevention programme which was launched by the Coolmine Therapeutic Community.
Given that there were many thousands of citizens marching through the streets of Dublin in support of the concerned parents' committees over the past few weeks, does the Minister agree that it is high time the recommendations of the Government's Task Force on Drug Abuse, which issued last year, were implemented?
That is a separate question.
Can the Minister tell us when they will be implemented?
That seems to be broadening the question very much.
Would the Minister agree that there is a need to provide adequate staff, resources and commitment to these concerned parents? Would she consider immediately allocating a "heroin budget" for community action to ensure that there are specific resources and personnel allocated to support these communities?
I appreciate the Deputy's concern which we all share but staff and finance are separate questions.
The remaining questions will appear on next Wednesday's Order Paper.
Ba mhaith liom a fháil amach an bhfuil aon ráiteas ón Rialtas faoi na mór-shiúil an Lá le Phádraig. Tá díomá ar a lán daoine nach mbeidh an tAirm ag moirsceáil i gcuid mhaith de bhailtí na tíre. I mo dháilceanntar féin ní bheidh an tAirm nó an FCA ag mairseáil——
Probably Deputy Kitt does not understand that this is quite out of order. We have finished one matter now and we are moving on to the next. If he has some problem which he wants to have teased out perhaps he would see his Whips about it.
Féile mór é Lá le Phádraig——
Tá a fhios agam sin. Deputy Kitt is not in order and I would ask him to resume his seat, please.
Tá díomá ar a lán daoine nach bhfuil an tAirm ag glacadh páirt——
I cannot allow Deputy Kitt to continue.
Have the Government abdicated? Are we to follow Deputy Haughey to America to see the Taoiseach?
Deputy Woods's personality seems to have changed the last few minutes. He used to be a very nice man. The Chair has no control over whether there is a Minister here or not.