Oireachtas

Boyle doubts Bill will be end of head shops

SEANAD REPORT: SEANAD DEPUTY leader Dan Boyle (Green) said he was not sure that the elimination of head shops would be a completely…

JIMMY WALSH
Thu Jun 24 2010 - 01:00

SEANAD REPORT:SEANAD DEPUTY leader Dan Boyle (Green) said he was not sure that the elimination of head shops would be a completely positive development. "However heinous their activities or the products they sell, they shine a light on activities in our society. Sometimes we need a dark side to show us where to improve society."

Mr Boyle said he welcomed the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 in general terms, he did not believe it would eliminate head shops entirely.

Introducing the Bill, which passed second stage, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said it was necessary to criminalise the sale of psychoactive substances as they emerged. He had been advised that following the making of orders last month subjecting the possession and sale of certain substances to sanctions under misuse of drugs legislation, many of the 102 head shops then doing business had closed but around 36 had reopened, reportedly selling different substances. Garda figures indicated that 48 were trading nationwide on June 10th.

The focus of the Bill was on seeking to ensure that the sale or supply of substances which had not already been specifically proscribed under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but which had psychoactive effects, would be a criminal offence. He intended to bring forward an amendment to have relevant offences categorised as ones for which bail could be refused.

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Feargal Quinn (Ind) wondered how strictly the measure would be enforced. He had read about “legal highs” being sold openly on the boardwalk beside the Liffey. The problem was that by making the shops illegal this trade might be driven underground.

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The Seanad was privileged to have a watchdog role in relation to the Dáil, House leader Donie Cassidy said. The public could rest assured that every Bill was scrutinised line by line in the Upper House.

Mr Cassidy was reacting to the welcome by Feargal Quinn (Ind) that consideration was being given in New Zealand to reintroducing its senate, 60 years after its abolition.

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Mark Daly (FF) said the imposition of a property tax on homeowners who found themselves in negative equity would seem to be highly unjust.