Question
5. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if taking a harm-reduction approach to drug law reform has a role in tackling organised crime. [10197/16]
Answer
Deputy Frances Fitzgerald: The problem of drug misuse remains one of the most complex social problems we face, causing a huge amount of harm to individuals, families and communities. The Government's response to the problem was set out in the national drugs strategy which ran from 2009 to 2016. As the Deputy is aware, the strategy is comprehensive and based on the five pillars of drug supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Deputy persistently zooms in on the housing issue, which would be fine but only on a housing Bill.