The Minister will be aware of the public concern over some recent court decisions with regard to drug pushers in particular. Would the Minister consider including crimes for drug pushing as a scheduled offence in the Special Courts?

I will make a personal observation here. I am personally opposed to the question of drug pushing being encompassed — I presume the Deputy is referring to the Special Criminal Court — in the Special Criminal Court. I am personally opposed to that. I am not opposed to particular scheduled offences in another context encompassing drug-pushing. Certainly I would not favour the legislation, relating to the Special Criminal Court, being used for drug-pushing as such. It can be dealt with effectively and rigorously under alternative legislation.

Would the Minister care to suggest what alternative legislation?

That is being considered by the Government at present.

While the Minister awaits this report and considers various types of legislation he must be aware of this ever-growing problem and concern felt throughout the whole country in regard to the abuse of drugs. Would he not consider that we have reached an emergency situation in which drastic action, such as the scheduled offence, is the way to tackle it at this stage? Apparently the Special Criminal Court seems to be the only court that is effective any more.

I have received very detailed representations on this matter. As the Deputy will be aware, as a former office holder, various submissions have been received from former Attorneys General and from the Department of Justice relating to the measures to be adopted in relation to drug pushing. These are currently being considered. I would stress that the emergency situation arises in a particular part of Dublin at present. It is very serious, the Government are very gravely concerned about the matter and have been discussing it at some considerable length.