asked the Minister for Health if certain drugs of addiction which at present are not on the poisons list will be the subject of regulations to prevent their free availability.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Addictive Drugs.
55.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of the 3rd April last to his question on the subject —Dáil Debates, Vol. 233, No. 12, Cols. 1685-6.
I presume from his supplementary question on that occasion that the Deputy's present question relates to a number of synthetic narcotic drugs. As I have already indicated, regulations are at present being prepared which will extend the controls provided under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1934 to these drugs. The effect of such controls will be to restrict the manufacture, sale, possession and distribution of the drugs in question.
Is the Minister aware that I gave a list of drugs to his Department and would he not think it would be necessary to call a meeting of the Poisons Board with a view to having these restricted immediately?
Unfortunately, it is not my function.
To whom are the Poisons Board responsible?
The point is we have no legal control at the moment over these synthetic drugs. We are proposing to get this control.
When the Minister introduced this legislation in February, 1966, could he not have included these drugs in the list of drugs which were restricted?
Apparently not.
Would the Minister state whether he thinks it desirable that this should be done?
It is desirable and it is going to be done. It could not have been included then because I did not have the legal power.
The Minister is aware he has not the legal power——
I am calling the next question. The Deputy has had four supplementaries.
The Chair will realise that this is a very important matter in that drugs of addiction are freely available to the public without restriction. I have informed the Minister of the facts and I have asked him on a number of occasions about the matter and nothing is being done about it.
It is not true that nothing is being done about it. Regulations are being introduced.
When will the regulations be introduced?
I suppose in about another week. These regulations have to be drafted and approved. One must have patience. The Deputy did give the information and we are aware of the facts and we are acting on the information with all possible speed in the parliamentary meaning of these terms.