An Cathaoirleach: he purpose of today's meeting, in accordance with Standing Orders 130 and 118, is to discuss matters of public policy, particularly those raised through our respective committees. As the Taoiseach knows, committees allow TDs and Senators to engage meaningfully and directly with Departments, public bodies, relevant stakeholders and the wider public. Today's meeting allows us as Cathaoirligh a chance to discuss the committees' work with the Taoiseach. I trust the meeting will be mutually beneficial....

Deputy Gary Gannon: I thank the Taoiseach for joining us today. I chair the Joint Committee on Drugs Use. It was formed following the Citizen's Assembly on Drug Use, which was chaired by Mr. Paul Reid. That assembly engaged in the most comprehensive analysis and exploration of drug use in the history of this State. Our committee has a nine-month duration and is putting flesh on the bones of the work of the citizen's assembly. Our committee will report in June but the national drugs strategy is due to be released in draft form in January. We have talked to the Minister of State with responsibility in this area, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, who has agreed to more engagement with the committee in terms of its input to the strategy. I wanted to reference that with the Taoiseach and put it on the record.

One of the issues that we are currently dealing with that is incredibly important is drug-related intimidation, violence and coercion. There are very few communities the length and breadth of Ireland that have not been affected in some form by drug-related intimidation. We saw that in its most hideous, extreme and tragic form last weekend in County Offaly and it is something that all of us must work to confront. These gangs are enforcing intimidation and violence on communities. The stories that we have heard at the committee from the communities that are engaging with us are terrifying, they are real and they require an immediate response.

Deputy iseach: It is. Fair enough. I am glad the Deputy was at the National Cyber Security Centre. It is a very good centre and we have made huge progress in respect of cybersecurity in the past five years. I will reflect on what she said and come back to her in the context of her desires and that of the committee to broaden its remit.

Deputy Gannon spoke about drug use. I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, on what he has focused in on and to make sure that happens in respect of national strategy. He is correct that the intimidation, coercion and fear are big worries, when people see people dealing on the streets and creating their territory. It is injurious to normal life and the quality of normal life. It creates a fear and tension in communities and there has been violence and aggression. In many ways, it is an informal subjugation of a community. We will talk to the Garda in regard to a tougher line on this. We are constantly increasing the numbers of gardaí. There is already a steady throughput in Templemore that is enhancing our capacity to police in a more visible way on our streets. That is an important dimension to it as well.