I have no information on the conference in question other than the general reference to it in The Weekender of 26 October 2002, as indicated by the Deputy. The Minister for Health and Children and the Garda Commissioner have informed me that they have no knowledge of such a conference. I can confirm, therefore, that the conference in question was not a meeting within the framework for formal co-operation between the administrations of the member states as provided for in the EU and EC treaties. Outside of that formal framework, however, there is a wide variety of programmes which co-finance projects, including conferences and seminars, and which allow for exchanges of views between representatives of a broad range of civil society. Such conferences and seminars, which are informal in their conclusions, do not necessarily involve participation by the Administrations of the member states.
The international drug control treaties, adopted within the United Nations, oblige participating states to limit the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances exclusively to medical and scientific purposes. These conventions were established by the international community to protect public health and safety. This position was endorsed by the participating member states, including Ireland, at the special session of the UN General Assembly on Drugs in June 1998. A political declaration was adopted at the special session which re-affirmed the unwavering determination and commitment of the member states to overcome the world drug problem through domestic and international strategies to reduce both the illicit supply of and demand for drugs.
Any change in the above position would require an amendment to the UN treaties and it is not correct to suggest that EU law could override national law in this area. Co-operation between the member states of the EU in the area of public health is governed by the treaty establishing the European Community. The treaty provides that a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities and that the Community shall complement the member states' actions in reducing drugs-related health damage, including information and prevention. There are no provisions in the EU or EC treaties which would allow for the legalisation of drugs.
