205. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, interim; the position regarding the proposed national substance misuse strategy;. [20261/11]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): My responsibilities as Minister for State for Primary Care include overseeing the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. It aims to tackle problem drug use in Ireland through the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research, building on the progress which has been achieved to date. I will chair a meeting of the Oversight Forum on Drugs this week. Its main functions are to examine the progress being made under the National Drugs Strategy and to address any operational difficulties and blockages that arise.