Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of departmental engagement that has taken place in relation to the proliferation of head shops here; the potential risks and dangers involved in the consumption of the products on sale in these outlet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41435/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 143 of 5 November 2009. As I have advised the Deputy, my colleague Minister of State John Curran, at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who has responsibility for co-ordinating the National Drugs Strategy, has identified head shops as a particular area of concern, and in conjunction with relevant Departments and Agencies, is currently considering the options available to more effectively control the activities of such shops.

My officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Office of the Minister for Drugs in this regard and I have also spoken directly with Minister Curran on this matter. I understand also that a briefing, with particular reference to 'headshops' has been provided to the Minister by personnel from the Garda National Drugs Unit. In terms of the further specific controlling of substances on sale in headshops, as the Deputy will appreciate, that is a matter which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/1984.