143. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the working of the recently enacted Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 in the central division of the Dublin metropolitan region. [31711/17]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 introduces controls on a number of new psychoactive substances, certain pharmaceutical drugs and some other substances which are required to be controlled on foot of EC Decision 2005/387/JHA.

It is too early to comment upon the impact and effectiveness of the Act, not only in the central division of the Dublin metropolitan region but in all regions nationwide, as new Regulations pertaining to the Act came into force on 4 May 2017. However, I can inform the Deputy that it is considered that the Act will be of great assistance to An Garda Síochána in effective policing and the prevention and detection of drug-related criminality in regards to new psychoactive substances and prescription drugs.

One of the most significant effects of the new Regulations, in relation to Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Xanax) etc, is that the restrictions in place regarding the possession of controlled drugs will now apply to these medicines. This is also the case for “Z Drugs” such as Zopiclone (Zimovane), Zolpidem (Stilnoct) and Zaleplon (Sonata) meaning that it is now an offence "Contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/2016" to be in possession of these substances, even in amounts for personal possession, without a valid prescription in accordance with the Act.