Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the first question, the emergence of new substances is being examined in the context of the EU early warning system and the risk assessment process. The early warning and emergency trends sub-committee of the national advisory committee on drugs has asked the Health Research Board to raise the issue of BZP and other substances with the EU to discover whether experiences in other member states are the same. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and regulations made thereunder regulate the issue. It will probably be that legislation because it regulates the control, import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and other substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. That has commenced.

On the Competition Authority, in the first instance I will meet the European Commission to discuss several matters. The meeting is long-planned, having been in the offing for approximately a year. I will take the opportunity of raising the question. Issues concerning Ryanair and Aer Lingus will be dealt with at official level in the days immediately ahead, and that is already under way.

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