Minister in drugs claim

Allegations were raised in the Dáil yesterday that a serving Government Minister admitted to regularly using cocaine.

Allegations were raised in the Dáil yesterday that a serving Government Minister admitted to regularly using cocaine.

Simon Coveney (FG, Cork South-Central) asked if Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was concerned at reports that a Minister, who was not named, was quoted as saying "that he uses cocaine on a regular basis".

Mr Coveney asked if Mr Ahern had investigated the reports and whether he had called in the Minister to establish whether the report was true. The Fine Gael TD added that the Minister was further quoted as saying that "he is certainly not the only one around here who does".

Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue ruled the issue out of order and said the deputy could raise it during the debate on tackling crime.