DRUG pushers should be charged with murder and given life sentences on conviction, Mr John Browne (FF, Wexford) said.

"I have no hesitation in saying that these drug barons, pushers and dealers are directly responsible for the murder of many young people by pushing drugs they know can cause death."

Many of his constituents, who had faced the ordeal of having children subjected to drug abuse, felt that the death penalty should be introduced for drug pushers.

Mr Browne was speaking during the resumed debate on the Fianna Fail private member's Misuse of Drugs Bill, which calls for a range of measures to deal with drug trafficking including a referendum on bail. The Bill has been accepted in principle by the Minister for Justice, Ms Owen.

Mr Charles Flanagan (FG, Laois Offaly) said that the constitutional right to bail went to the heart of the criminal justice system and represented a basic pillar of justice: the right of innocence until proven guilty.

Ireland had the most liberal bail regime in western Europe, and it was plainly absurd for the State not to restrict freedom of dangerous persons who were putting life and property at risk. But the need to proceed speedily to trial was essential, and there should be a specific centre of remand for those whose bail was revoked.

Debate on the Bill continues tonight.