Parliamentary Question: National Drugs Strategy

29th September 2004

1146. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on those actions for which he has responsibility, namely actions Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27 and 28 regarding his obligations under the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22803/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): My Department and the agencies concerned have recently reported to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the lead Department for the Government's National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, regarding the current status of the above actions.

The progress being made regarding each action, by this mid-point of the strategy's lifetime, is recorded in the lead Department's recently published critical implementation path document, a copy of which I have arranged to be forwarded to the Deputy.

I understand that copies of the document are available in the Dáil Library and from the lead Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Furthermore, a steering group under the aegis of the lead Department has undertaken a mid-term review of the strategy. That review, in addition to examining progress to date in implementing the goals and actions set out in the strategy, will focus on identifying priorities for future action and enable a refocusing of the strategy, if necessary, for the remaining period up to 2008. My Department and the relevant associated agencies are involved in that review.