Vol. 525 No. 2
142 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children when the necessary legislation will be introduced to make the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport a criminal offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21112/00]
The Government in July this year approved the draft order entitled Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Declaration) Order 2000, with the intention of bringing under control additional substances in order that our national obligations under the UN conventions continue to be fulfilled. Also included are certain amphetamine-type substances and certain drugs used as performance enhancers in sport. The approval of the order requires that regulations and orders have to be prepared in order to assign appropriate controls to the various substances, having regard to their specific potential for abuse. The drawing up of these regulations and orders is a complex task and work is progressing on the drafting. I expect that this process will be finalised in the coming months.
