Speaking today Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, “A pre-election demand from the Citywide anti-drugs campaign group for a Junior Minister with responsibility for tackling the drugs crisis was supported by Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil. Now that the Taoiseach has announced that he is to establish three new Junior Ministries he should bear in mind the extent of the drugs crisis which has been highlighted in recent days with yet another possible cocaine induced death and with the seizures of significant amounts of heroin over the weekend.

“I want to reiterate Sinn Féin’s demand for a Junior Minister with responsibility for tackling the drugs crisis. This is the most glaring gap in the Government’s team and must take priority over Trevor Sargent’s proposal for a Minister of Food.”