Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the publication of the drugs strategy, the public consultation process and the evaluation, by consultants, of the strengths and weaknesses of the current drugs strategy should be completed by the end of July. I estimate that approximately 30 meetings will take place, in various parts of the country with different interest groups. The draft strategy will then be discussed by the steering group and I would expect it to go before the Cabinet committee on social inclusion, children and integration before the end of the year. I am pressing very hard to ensure that the strategy is published before the end of this year so a new strategy will be in place for 1 January 2009.

Discussions with the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Education and Science and Health and Children are ongoing but more formalised discussions will take place as part of the strategy formulation process. I am already in discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on a number of issues in areas for which it has responsibility. The Departments of Health and Children and Education and Science are represented at the inter-departmental committee on drugs, which I chair. The next meeting of that committee will take place within three weeks.

The issue of the disposal of drugs was raised recently by way of a written parliamentary question by Deputy Ring's colleague, Deputy Seán Barrett. However, for the benefit of the House and if the Leas-Cheann Comhairle wishes it, I can inform the House of the position as it was outlined to Deputy Barrett.

When drugs come into the possession of the Garda authorities, they are destroyed upon the determination of court proceedings. Drugs classified as controlled in the Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act which are seized by members of the Garda Síochána, are destroyed under the supervision of a detective inspector from the Garda technical bureau, following analysis, evidential requirements and the written authorisation of a member of the Garda Síochána, not below the rank of inspector, from the Garda district where the drugs originated. The Garda technical bureau also facilitates destruction of controlled drugs which have been received at the bureau from customs officials, under the supervision of a Garda inspector and with written authorisation from an appropriate customs officer. Each operation is documented and all associated records are maintained by the Garda technical bureau. For security reasons, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform cannot divulge further details of the disposal logistics.

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