Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans in place to tackle the selling of dangerous substances to human health in head shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16665/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly for its consideration to make it a criminal offence to supply unregulated psychotropic substances for human use. I am also examining how appropriate powers could be given to the Gardaí and the courts to prevent head shops and other such outlets from selling these products by way of appropriate prohibition orders. My proposals are in addition to the proposals of the Minister for Health and Children to introduce regulations placing controls on certain psychotropic substances for sale in head shops.

In addition to this An Garda Síochána is co-ordinating a national strategic approach to ensure that 'headshops' do not breach the Misuse of Drugs Acts by selling any banned substances and where appropriate, for proceedings to be considered for any such breaches. The Garda National Drug Unit in conjunction with District and Divisional drug units are continuing to monitor these outlets and the substances they sell. In a number of cases substances have been seized which are subject of forensic analysis and Investigation Files have also been submitted to the Law Officers.