In view of the increased incidence of drug abuse would the Minister consider setting up advice and/or treatment centres, if necessary, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, in order to put out of circulation both the users and pushers of drugs?

I am at present awaiting the report of the Special Task Force of Ministers of State and I do not want to pre-empt their recommendations. My suggestion to Deputies is that if they have any particular views at this stage they should convey them to the secretary of the task force who is a civil servant in the Department of Health, Mr. Usher, who will readily convey those views to the committee. My Department will be making their views known to the task force and I expect to receive their report within five or six weeks. In the meantime it would be better if I did not prejudge their recommendations.