196. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of times since the current Government took office that he has met the Minister of State with responsibility in the area of drugs to discuss the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26483/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): As Minister for Health, I meet regularly with the Ministers of State in my Department to discuss matters of mutual interest. Such arrangements may be either formal or informal, as the circumstances require. Since the appointment in April 2015 of Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, the Minister of State and I have been in frequent communication regarding the important issues which fall within his remit. I am confident that Minister Ó Ríordáin will make a strong and lasting contribution in this role and am committed to working with him to ensure an integrated policy approach to substance misuse, including a broad public health approach to tobacco and alcohol as well as other substances which are subject to control or prohibition.