Deputy Brendan Smith rowed in on the discussion this week with Minister Simon Harris about additional measures that will be implemented to tackle, what he describes, as the scourge of illegal drugs throughout the country.
The Justice Minister said that weekend drug-takers are funding and supporting violence, crime and murders.
The Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fail TD told Shannonside Northern Sound that addiction and drug abuse were very complex issues and society needs to take a multifaceted approach that includes the health service as well as the criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, Gardaí made eight arrests after the discovery of a drug-mixing plant and €2.8m worth of cocaine in Dublin.
Deputy Smith added that criminal gangs were "peddling death and destruction" across every community in Ireland.
"Criminal gangs and individual criminals are literally peddling death and destruction in every community in the country. I appeal to the minister that these issues need to be dealt with with the utmost urgency. I'm glad that the minister was very clear in his response to me that that there will be an increase in the sentencing for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison. That will be tackling in particular those who are directing gangland and drug related crime".
