Mr. Eugene Lennon:

As to whether we need primary or secondary legislation, the current situation is not ideal. There is a desire to get the access programme up and running. We are looking at whether secondary legislation under the Misuse of Drugs Act could be dealt with in a number of months, maybe six months, in contrast to going for primary legislation. If we go for primary legislation, we will also have to go for secondary legislation from that primary legislation as well. I would foresee, if the primary legislation route is pursued, that it could take up to 18 months before something is in place. If one goes for secondary legislation it could be done within about six months.

The misuse of drugs area is extremely complex. As Deputy Jonathan O'Brien is well aware, in the last two and a quarter years my unit was on its third Bill in this area through the Oireachtas, and also a lot of regulations. It is complex. We are working our way through to see what is possible. We are open to finding a solution that gives us a quicker result. That may be through secondary legislation under the Misuse of Drugs Act.