148. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times since the current Government took office that she has met directly with the Minister for Health to discuss the national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26483/15]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): As the Deputy will be aware, the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 adopts a comprehensive and pillar based approach to the problem of drug misuse, across the five pillars of drug supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Strategy is founded on a partnership approach with Government Departments, State Agencies and the Community and Voluntary sectors working collectively to tackle the problem of drug misuse. The Strategy is being led out under the stewardship of my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mr. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D.  

Implementation of the Strategy is monitored by the Oversight Forum on Drugs which is chaired by Minister of State Ó Ríordáin. The Forum includes representatives of both State and non-governmental bodies, including the Departments of Health and my own Department, reflecting the ongoing multi-agency and multi-sectoral approach in tackling this issue. Under this remit the Minister of State also reports on the National Drugs Strategy to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform which is chaired by An Taoiseach and on which both the Minister for Health and myself sit having regard to our respective remits.

I understand the Deputy's question to relate to the development of the new National Drugs Strategy. In this regard, Minister Varadkar, prior to the appointment of Minister of State Ó Ríordáin, was in contact with me with regard to planning for this work. The development of the new Strategy for the period post 2016 will now be taken forward by Minister of State Ó Ríordáin in consultation with the stakeholders