534. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of implementation of the regulations that are to accompany the enacted Misuse of Drugs Act 2016 before the Act can be properly enforced; the timeframe for the competed regulation process, with particular mention made to the drug Zopiclone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27238/16]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne):  The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 was passed by the Oireachtas on the 21st July 2016. The primary purpose of the Act is to protect public health by bringing certain substances which are open to misuse and known to be traded on the illicit market under the scope of the Misuse of Drugs legislation, thereby aiding the law enforcement activities of An Garda Síochána. These include so-called z-drugs - zopiclone and zaleplon.   The Act also controls the benzodiazepine phenazepam and a number of new psychoactive substances which Ireland is required to control under our EU and UN obligations, as well as two substances found in the headshop drug ‘Clockwork Orange’.   Controlling the substances in the Act was part one of a two-step process. Regulations and various Orders are also required to allow legitimate users (e.g. patients with a prescription, health professionals) to possess the substances. Work on drafting the regulations is at an advanced stage. Various sections of the Act will be commenced when the associated regulations are ready but this should happen within the coming weeks.