Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Misuse of Drugs.

John Gormley

Question:

626 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current Government policy regarding the publication of material advocating the use of illegal drugs; and whether prosecutions have been affected in this area under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984. [9338/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984, which falls under the remit of the Minister for Health and Children, is the primary legislation regarding the publication of material advocating the use of illegal drugs.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were no prosecutions for this offence in 1996 or 1997.