Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 15 November 2012, if all public consultation has now been completed; if he has communicated the intended alterations to regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act that are EU-relevant to the EU and if so, the date of same. [52928/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As a result of consultations with key stakeholders, draft Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations are currently being prepared. These will be published on the Department’s website in the next few weeks and comments will be invited to be made in the subsequent two-week period.

Following this, it will be necessary to seek Government approval to notify the proposed regulations to the EU Commission and other Member States under the Technical Standards Directives because of the implications of the proposed regulatory changes on trade in pharmaceutical products.

Subject to successful completion of the EU notification period, which may take up to 3 months, it is anticipated that the new regulations will be introduced in early 2013.