It has been claimed that Gardaí aren't equipped to deal with the illegal sale of prescription drugs and so-called legal highs online.
A committee has been hearing how some dealers have moved off the streets, and onto the the internet.
This issue was highlighted last month when Gardaí seized over 140,000 pills, ED medication and steroids, many of which were sold online.
Although these so-called legal highs were banned in 2010, they are still being sold on the streets and online.
hair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, David Stanton, says he doesn't think Gardaí are equipped to deal with the move online.
"The idea of somebody dealing in the back corner is old hat. The deep web, the grey web, this is hugely, hugely complicated. It's a major challenge for our policing."
In terms of the possible approaches to dealing with this issue, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin believes that stricter laws need to be put in place.
"We have to be away, in front, ahead of them. That requires very strong and tough legislation."
Other possible solutions suggested include a multi-agency approach, a special parliamentary committee and awareness campaigns.
