Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the proliferation of so called head shops, which have opened here; his views on the fact that some of these substances may represent a threat to public health, or may act, potentially, as a gateway to illicit drug use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41433/09]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 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 outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41436/09]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on head shops and the sale of legal highs here; his further views on the fact that many of these substances can have health implications; his plans for head shops into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose taking Questions Nos. 324, 328 and 340 together.

I am very aware of the growth in the number of headshops and I have voiced concerns in regard to their activities on numerous occasions. My concerns in relation to their selling of substances that are represented as being "legal highs" or "herbal highs" centre on the potential health hazard arising and the fear that use of these products may act as a gateway to the use of illicit drugs. The Department of Health & Children has the main statutory responsibility in this area. Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, the importation, exportation, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are regulated and controlled. The products on sale in headshops are currently not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, but this situation is being kept under review by the Department of Health and Children. Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service are working to ensure that no illegal substances are sold in these premises.

I have raised my concerns about the proliferation, and the activities, of headshops in many fora since my appointment as Minister. The matter was discussed with the various parties involved at the first meeting of the Oversight Forum on Drugs, set up under the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, in October. Also under the Strategy, I have had meetings in recent weeks with the Minister for Health & Children and the Minister Justice Equality & Law Reform and headshops were among the issues considered. I also discussed headshops at meetings last week with the Garda Commissioner and senior officials of the Revenue Commissioners.

The headshop issue is causing concern across Europe and no EU Member States has come up with a comprehensive response so far. A number of possibilities for addressing the activities of headshops have been discussed at my various meetings and these are being followed up by the relevant authorities.