Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2014
206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the target month for the signing of new regulation updating the misuse of drugs regulations to deal with the pressing problem of the street trading of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. [28869/14]
View answerThe 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. 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.
