Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Health the target date for the full commencement of new regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act to deal with the trading of certain z-drugs, the dealing in and prescribing of benzodiazepines, and to deal with the sale of anabolic steroids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12721/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The draft regulations which are being prepared in the Department constitute a major amendment of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. 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. 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. It is anticipated that the regulations will be introduced in mid-2014.