Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2004
288 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a consultant forum was not held in Cork despite fora having been held in Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Carrick-on-Shannon and Dublin to hear submissions from the public in relation to the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy 2001-08. [23737/04]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a mid-term review of the national drugs strategy is currently under way. As part of the review an extensive consultation process is being carried out, including a series of regional seminars throughout the country to which the Deputy refers.
Given that the review must be completed by late 2004 or early 2005, the consultation process must be carried out within relatively tight time parameters. This is to allow sufficient time for the steering group — which is overseeing the review — to consider the issues raised in the consultations and also to consider what re-focusing of the strategy, if any, may be necessary, for the remaining period up to 2008.
Given the overall timeframe, the Deputy will appreciate that the number of regional sessions has to be limited. However, I believe that the locations chosen provide for as wide a geographical spread as possible and are readily accessible.
