I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 to 454, inclusive, together.
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations, made under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, are the primary legislative instrument regulating the import, export, manufacture, production, prescribing, supply, possession and administration of controlled drugs.
Draft amendment Regulations were prepared following extensive consultation with key stakeholders and were placed on the Department’s website inviting further comment by early September 2013. The proposed draft Regulations constitute a major amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Over 90 submissions were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals. While my Department has no plans to publish these, they are available if requested. Work is ongoing on the drafting of these regulations. This process is taking longer than anticipated because it is a complex and technical body of work. The regulations will be finalised as soon as possible.
The purpose of the Technical Standards Directive is to eliminate or reduce the barriers to the free movement of goods which can arise from the adoption of different national technical regulations. Under the Directive any regulations providing for such restrictions are required to be notified to the European Commission. Accordingly, in view of the additional controls it is proposed to introduce in relation to certain substances, the Department is required to notify these under this Directive.