Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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199. To ask the Minister for Health the target month he is working to for the updating of regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act following the recent public consultation period. [50046/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The draft regulations which are being prepared in my Department constitute a major amendment of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Due to their complexity it has been necessary to have two rounds of consultations with stakeholders and interested parties. Arising from the latest consultation process, the draft regulations are being reviewed. When this review is completed, the Government's approval will be sought to notify the draft regulations to the EU Commission and Member States under the Technical Standards Directive. It is anticipated that the draft regulations will be so notified before the end of the first quarter of 2014. The EU notification period may take up to 3 months to complete. Following its completion, the Government's approval will be sought to the relevant Statutory Instruments.