Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the sale of the drug BZP in certain shops (details supplied); if it is the case that this drug is banned from sale in all European countries except Ireland; if his further attention has been drawn to the widespread concern that this drug causes serious psychological disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4028/08]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Benzylpiperazine (BZP), a synthetic psychotropic substance, is for sale in certain shops and I have serious concerns over its safety. I understand that some users of such substances have reported a range of adverse reactions such as vomiting, headache, palpitations, poor appetite, stomach pains/nausea, anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, confusion, irritability and tremors.

The issue of BZP has been discussed on a number of occasions at meetings of the Inter Departmental Group on Drugs (IDG), which I chair. These discussions were in the context of EU consideration of the substance. In this context, it should be noted that Ireland was among the countries that, in March last year, requested the European Council to conduct a risk assessment procedure on the substance, which is not banned at present in most European counties.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction completed its investigation in June 2007 and reported back to the Commission recommending tighter controls. Arising from this, the Commission decided to ask the Council to place BZP under control, in accordance with the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The Council will decide over the coming months if BZP is to be placed under such control. If the decision is to place the substance under control, Member States would then be required to introduce controls in line with national laws no later than one year after the Council's decision.

The Deputy will appreciate that the implementation of any such decision rests with the Department of Health & Children, which has responsibility for keeping the list of scheduled substances under review.