Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of meetings that the steering group, established to develop proposals on the national substance misuse strategy have had; the make up of this group; the number of submissions received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14267/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Steering Group established to develop proposals and make recommendations on a National Substance Misuse Strategy has had four meetings to date, the most recent of which was on 19 March 2010.

The membership of the Group, comprising representatives of the statutory, community, voluntary and industry sectors, is set out in the Table below.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the prevention pillar of the national drugs strategy cannot be properly implemented as a result of policy choices by the Department of Education and Science in view of his Department's responsibility for the national drugs strategy. [14065/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, I want to confirm to the Deputy that the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 will continue to be implemented across all of its five pillars, in line with the Government's commitment to addressing the drugs problem in Ireland.

The objectives of the prevention pillar focus on the need to foster greater understanding of the dangers of problem drug and alcohol use across the general population. The promotion of healthier lifestyle choices to the wider society is a key part of this, along with targeting interventions to those at particular risk of problem substance use in our communities.

The progress being made by the various statutory, community and voluntary agencies responsible for implementing the 17 actions under the prevention pillar is being monitored on an on-going basis. While good progress is being made in many areas, it has to be acknowledged that some initiatives are more long-term in nature and will be progressed over the lifetime of the Strategy. The Department of Education & Science is fully involved in this process and, indeed, is represented on the Drugs Advisory Group through the assignment of an official of that Department on a half-time basis to the Office of the Minister for Drugs.

That Department is also centrally involved on the Oversight Forum on Drugs. As Chair of that Forum, I intend to build on the work of my colleague, Minister John Curran, T.D., in monitoring progress at a high level and in addressing any difficulties and blockages that may arise.

In line with the provisions of the National Drugs Strategy, I intend to hold a further series of bilateral meetings with various Ministers and officials over the coming months and I anticipate that a high-level meeting with the Department of Education and Science will be included in that schedule.

I look forward to the continued co-operation of the Department of Education & Science in the implementation of the Drugs Strategy and I have no doubt that this will be forthcoming.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the recent controversy surrounding headshops, proposals are in place to increase awareness of the negative effects of consuming psychoactive substances, which can be bought legally in headshops; if not, if measures will be put in place to highlight the downside of using such substances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14059/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of his Department's responsibility for the national drugs strategy, he will introduce legislation to address problems associated with headshops; his views on the establishment of a regulatory authority with the power to fast track the banning of dangerous substances, to provisionally ban substances in the interest of public health while further research on a substance is conducted and to otherwise restrict and control the production and sale of all non-medicinal psychoactive substances. [14067/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 44 together.

I can assure the Deputies that I share the concerns to which they refer regarding the activities of headshops and the new psychoactive substances, represented as "legal highs", which are being sold in these outlets.

Indeed, my colleague, Mr John Curran, T.D., while Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, voiced similar concerns on many occasions and held a number of meetings with the Ministers for Health & Children, Justice, Equality & Law Reform and Education & Science. He also met with the Garda Commissioner and with senior officials of various Departments and Offices. Headshops and the sale of "legal highs" were discussed at many of these meetings and various approaches to addressing the activities of these outlets were considered.

Through the Misuse of Drugs Act — which is the primary legislation through which these substances can be regulated — the Department of Health and Children is currently finalising regulations to introduce controls on a range of substances. These regulations will make the possession and sale of these substances illegal and subject to criminal sanctions. In preparing the required regulations, that Department is consulting with the relevant authorities to ensure that any legitimate uses of the substances involved are not impinged upon.

Meanwhile, the Government has approved the commencement of a required notification process to the EU and it is envisaged that the regulations controlling the various substances will come into effect in late June, at the conclusion of the three month process involved. Such notification is required under the relevant EU Technical Standards Directives, as controls under the Misuse of Drugs Act involve a restriction on trade. For example, some of the products involved can be used in the manufacture of plastics and industrial solvents, and the European Medicines Agency reported in late January that one such product — mephedrone — has the potential to be used in the manufacture of some medicines. While the establishment of a mechanism to fast-track the banning of dangerous substances would have some appeal, this is not envisaged at present as it is seen as vital that all regulatory controls introduced meet all requirements and are fully robust to meet any legal challenges subsequently arising.

Meanwhile, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs has been asked to carry out some research in this area. In addition, the activities of headshops are being closely monitored on an ongoing basis by An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service with a view to ensuring that no substances that are currently illegal are being sold.

My Department has also been in contact with the Attorney General about a range of possible approaches to the matter and a number of issues arising in that context are being considered at senior level within an inter-departmental framework.

In relation to increasing awareness of the negative effects of consuming psychoactive substances, the HSE, in association with its partners under the Drugs Strategy, are currently finalising a National Drugs Awareness Campaign that will focus on psychoactive substances legally available through headshops. This campaign will be aimed primarily at 15 — 40 year olds, as well as at parents and service providers. The key message of the campaign will be that "legal does not mean safe" and it will aim to raise awareness of the risks to mental and physical health associated with these substances.

National and local initiatives will be integrated under the campaign, with Drugs Task Forces playing a key role in publicising the information in their respective communities. The upgraded www.drugs.ie website will also be promoted as a primary source of relevant and accurate information, along with utilising existing HSE help/information lines. The HSE is also updating the 'Facts about Drugs' booklet and their Parent Information Guide to include information on psychoactive substances. An information booklet for service providers will be available in conjunction with the launch of the campaign in the coming weeks.

In conclusion, I can assure the Deputies that I will continue to work with my Ministerial colleagues in vigorously pursuing all viable approaches to counter the potential threats posed by headshops and "legal highs".

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the national drugs strategy; if he will clarify which Minister or Minister of State now has overall responsibility for the operation of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14273/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement detailing the person who will be taking on responsibility for the overall delivery of the national drugs strategy in view of the Taoiseach's decision not to expressly assign any Department. [14063/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 38 together.

I can confirm to the House that, while the formal processes transferring functions between, and changing the titles of, Departments on foot of the recent announcement by the Taoiseach has yet to be completed, responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy will rest with me, as Minister.

The Government remains fully committed to addressing the drugs problem and my appointment as a Minister — with direct responsibility in this area — will facilitate the implementation of the Strategy in a timely and co-ordinated fashion. Indeed, many at community level have been campaigning for some time that the Minister who is assigned responsibility for the Drugs Strategy should be a member of the Government with a seat at Cabinet.

During my previous period as Minister for State with responsibility for the Drugs Strategy, significant steps forward were made in the drugs area. From my experience on the ground, and from my time as Minister of State, I am very familiar with the ongoing issues in terms of the drugs problem in communities and the initiatives being taken to address them.

I want to acknowledge the excellent work done by my colleague, Minister John Curran, T.D., in driving the finalisation of the Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, the implementation of which is being pursued vigorously across a range of Departments and agencies.

I fully intend to build on this work and to implement a continuous assessment approach to progress the 63 Actions in the Strategy so as to ensure that we achieve the successful outcomes that we all desire.

Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 19.

Questions Nos. 33 and 34 answered with Question No. 15.