1148. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken with international bodies on drugs policy, including the British-Irish Council, the European Union, the new drugs agency, and the Council of Europe to ensure strategic alignment of policies on drug use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47808/25]

Colm Burke, Minister of State at the Department of Health: Recently, I published an independent evaluation of the National Drugs Strategy, "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. The evaluation assessed the National Drugs Strategy on four domains: Impact, Governance, Performance and Coherence with international policies. The publication, which shows positive results across all areas, delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government.

In looking at Coherance with international policies, the report notes a strong alignment between our national strategy and international frameworks, which demonstrates the collaborative and evidence-based approach that has been taken in Irish drug policy. The main findings are as follows:

Finding 19: Ireland’s NDS (2017–2025) demonstrates strong alignment with the European Union Drugs Strategy 2021–2025, particularly in its emphasis on a health-led and rights-based framework. Ireland actively participates in EU-level working groups, research collaborations, and policy development initiatives.

Finding 20: Ireland has an active role in the British Irish Council and Pompidou Group, contributing to shared learning and coordinated responses. A strong commitment to human rights and sustainable development goals through UN engagement was also clear

Finding 21: Ireland, via the Health Research Board, contributes to the EU Drugs Agency with national data and participates in the European Early Warning System

For a more detailed analysis of these findings and the full international review element of the evaluation, please refer to the Independent Evaluation of the National Drugs Strategy, which is available at [www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Evaluation_of_the_National_Drug_Strategy_Reducing_Harm_Supporting_Recovery_2017-2025_1.pdf]

I am committed to continue to work with international bodies to coordinate our collective response to drug use. In particular, I look forward to the Irish Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026, when Ireland will chair the horizontal working party on drugs which is responsible for leading and coordinating the response to drugs between EU member states and the Commission.