Policy and Law

Irish government policy on the drugs situation is set out in the national drug and alcohol strategy:
The Drugs Policy Unit of the Department of Health oversees, coordinates and reports on the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, which aims to tackle the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by problem drug and alcohol use in Ireland through the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.

Legislation (drugs, alcohol and tobacco)

See also, Ireland: national report chapter – legal framework

United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime - International Drug Control Conventions

Some key Irish drugs legislation (see also, the Irish Statue Book):

S.I. No. 71/2024 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2024
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to insert Lisdexamfetamine into Schedule 8, Part 5, to allow registered nurses and registered midwives to prescribe Lisdexamfetamine for use in mental health or intellectual disability care.

S.I. No. 5/2023 - Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
The purpose of these Regulations is to update and replace the current Schedule 1, in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended) (“the Principal Regulations”), in order to include additional cannabis products or preparations for medical use as “specified controlled drugs”. The purpose of the Principal Regulations is to allow additional cannabis products or preparations for medical use to be prescribed and supplied under certain circumstances for the treatment of persons with certain medical conditions under the care of a medical consultant.

S.I. No. 150/2023 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2023
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to take account of permitted contamination levels of particular foodstuffs under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881 /2006 of 19 December 2006, as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/2142 of 3 December 2021 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1393 of 11 August 2022. [includes e.g. poppy seeds / hemp seeds]

S.I. No. 156/2023 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to allow persons travelling to the State from a Schengen area state to carry with them certain controlled drugs pursuant to their right under Article 75 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985, as applied to the State by Article 1 of Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002.

S.I. No. 200/2023 - Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023
The purpose of these Regulations is to update and replace the current Schedule 1, in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended) (“the Principal Regulations”), in order to include additional cannabis products or preparations for medical use as “specified controlled drugs”. The purpose of the Principal Regulations is to allow additional cannabis products or preparations for medical use to be prescribed and supplied under certain circumstances for the treatment of persons with certain medical conditions under the care of a medical consultant.

S.I. No. 237/2023 - Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Designation) (Amendment) Order 2023
The purpose of this Order is to reflect the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021, as supplemented by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1264 and the repeal of Regulation (EU) No. 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013.

S.I. No. 176/2022 - Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Declaration) Order 2022
The purpose of this Order is to declare certain substances to be controlled drugs for the purposes of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977

S.I. No. 210/2022 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2022
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 by adding certain additional substances to Schedules 1 and 4 of those Regulations.

S.I. No. 211/2022 - Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Designation) Order 2022
The purpose of this Order is to replace the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 122 of 2021), thereby adding drugs to which section 13(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

S.I. No. 237/2022 - Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
The purpose of these Regulations is to replace the current Schedule 1, in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended) (“the Principal Regulations”), in order to list certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use as “specified controlled drugs”. The purpose of the Principal Regulations is to allow certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use to be prescribed and supplied under certain circumstances for the treatment of persons with certain medical conditions under the care of a medical consultant.

S.I. No. 82/2021 - Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Declaration) Order 2021
The purpose of this Order is to declare certain substances to be controlled drugs for the purposes of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to 2016.

S.I. No. 122/2021 - Misuse of Drugs (Controlled Drugs) (Designation) Order 2021
The purpose of this Order is to amend the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2017 by inserting into Schedule 1 to that Order.

S.I. No. 557/2021 - Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 to replace Schedule 1 in order to list certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use as “specified controlled drugs”.

S.I. No. 99/2020 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2020
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to take account of the national electronic prescription transfer system established by the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 98 of 2020 ) in response to the Covid-19 emergency.

S.I. No. 262/2019 - Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019
The purpose of these Regulations is to allow certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use to be prescribed and supplied under certain circumstances for the treatment of persons with certain medical conditions under the care of a medical consultant.

S.I. No. 282/2019 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2019
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017— (a) to insert into Schedule 2 preparations containing dronabinol, and (b) to insert into Schedule 2 certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use, which are specified in Schedule 1 to the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019.

S.I. No. 173/2017 - Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 These Regulations apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016 apply). The effect of the Regulations is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. Appropriate exemptions are provided to cover legitimate use for professional purposes by doctors, pharmacists, nurses and midwives, veterinary practitioners, prison officers, etc. and in other specified circumstances. In addition to these controls the Regulations specify the classes of persons who may have controlled drugs in their possession and the circumstances in which such possession would not be in contravention of the Act. The Regulations contain other miscellaneous provisions such as requirements as to the form of prescriptions for controlled drugs, the keeping of books and records, proper documentation relating to export of controlled drugs, arrangements for destruction or disposal of such drugs, and provisions regarding possession of forged prescriptions.

S.I. No. 522/2017 - Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone and Medicinal Products containing Buprenorphine authorised for Opioid Substitution Treatment) Regulations 2017
These Regulations replace the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No 225 of 1998). The Regulations add certain buprenorphine medicinal products authorised for opioid substitution treatment to the Schedule of products which fall within the scope of these Regulations. These Regulations also update a number of references and definitions, replace the Minister with the Health Service Executive for the purposes of receiving information and reassign responsibilities relating to maintenance of records from the Minister to the Health Service Executive.

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Act 2017 An Act to provide for the establishment, licensing, operation and regulations of supervised injecting facilities for the purposes of reducing harm to people who inject drugs; to enhance the dignity, health and well-being of people who inject drugs in public places; to reduce the incidence of drug injection and drug-related litter in public places and thereby to enhance the public amenity for the wider community; and to provide for matters related thereto.

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016
An Act to amend and extend the law relating to the prevention of the misuse of certain dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs and for those purposes to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to provide for the control of additional substances; to make further provision for the transfer of functions relating to the grant of licences under that Act from the Minister for Health to the Health Products Regulatory Authority; to revoke certain statutory instruments; and to provide for related matters.

Road Traffic Act 2016  
Part 3 Intoxicated Driving Offences - Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Misuse Of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015
An Act to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 ; to confirm certain statutory instruments; and to provide for related matters.

S.I. No. 323/2014 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2014
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988. The Regulations of 1988 apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 apply), the effect of which is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. These Regulations amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988— (a) to insert into Schedule 2 authorised medicinal products containing a liquid extract of cannabis having a specified composition and presentation, in order to permit such products to be prescribed, supplied and possessed for the treatment of patients, and (b) to remove the handwriting requirements in relation to certain details on prescriptions for controlled drugs specified in the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulations 1998 ( S.I. No. 225 of 1998 ).

S.I. No. 583/2014 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988. The Regulations of 1988 apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 apply), the effect of which is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. These Regulations amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 by adding certain additional substances to Schedule 1 of the Regulations, and increasing the extent of the controls applicable to 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid.

S.I. No. 544/2012 - Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2012.
These Regulations amend the Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) Regulations 1979 (S.I. No. 164 of 1979) to provide for a new fee in respect of the grant of an export licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (No. 12 of 1977).

S.I. No. 536/2011 - District Court (Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010) Rules 2011. 
These rules amend Orders 23 and 34 and substitute Order 96B of the District Court Rules to prescribe procedure under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010

S.I. No. 552/2011 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2011.
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 by inserting certain controlled drugs into the Schedules to those Regulations. The Regulations of 1988 apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 apply), the effect of which is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation, exportation and authority to be in possession of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. These Regulations insert into Schedule 1 substances structurally derived from cathinone (excluding bupropion, diethylpropion and pyrovalerone), substances structurally derived from naphyrone and related substances, substances structrually derived from 2-aminotetralin, 2-aminoindane, 2-aminodilin and related substances, additional synthetic cannabinoids, and BromodragonFLY. In addition, salvinorin A, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are inserted into Schedule 1, as are products, plants and plant materials containing those substances and their preparations. Dimethocaine and fluorotropacocaine are inserted into Schedule 2. Desoxypipradrol is inserted into Schedule 3.

S.I. No. 200/2010 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2010.
The purpose of these Regulations is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 by inserting certain controlled drugs into the Schedules to the Principal Regulations. The Principal Regulations apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 apply) the effect of which is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. These Regulations insert into Schedule 1 certain synthetic cannabinoids, benzylpiperazine derivatives (with the exception of 2 substances which are inserted into Schedule 3), mephedrone and related cathinones, and other narcotic and psychotropic substances. A number of other substances are inserted into Schedules 2, 3 and 4. Butan-1,4-diol and Dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one are not inserted into any schedule. However, article 4 is amended to make it lawful to import, export, produce, supply, or offer to supply these substances except for the purpose of human ingestion other than as a flavouring in food. In addition, a new article 9A is inserted to make it lawful to possess these substances except for the purpose of human ingestion other than as a flavouring in food.

S.I. No. 607/2010 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010. 
The purpose of these Regulations is to exempt prescriptions for specified controlled drugs issued and dispensed in prisons, from certain requirements of article 13 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 in relation to the handwriting of prescriptions. In addition these Regulations require certain information regarding the administration of specified controlled drugs to be retained in prisons.

Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 
An act to prevent the misuse of dangerous or otherwise harmful psychoactive substances; to provide for offences relating to the sale, importation, exportation or advertisement of those substances; to provide for offences relating to the sale and advertisement of certain objects for use in the cultivation of certain plants in contravention of the misuse of drugs act 1977 ; to provide for powers of the garda síochána in relation to the investigation of those offences; to make provision in relation to the issuing of prohibition notices by certain members of the garda síochána to certain persons in relation to activities that are prohibited; to provide for the making by the district court of prohibition orders and closure orders in certain circumstances; to amend the Customs And Excise (Miscellanous Provisions) Act 1988; and to provide for related matters.

S.I. No. 63/2009 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2009
The purpose of these Regulations is to allow prison officers to possess controlled drugs in the course of their duty.

S.I. No. 122/2009 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009
The effect of this Regulation is to include 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP) within the strict regime of control that applies to those drugs in Schedule 1 of the Regulations.

S.I. No. 200/2007 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2007
The purpose of these Regulations is to allow registered nurses to prescribe controlled medicinal products in certain circumstances.

S.I. No. 53/2006 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations, 2006
The effect of this Regulation is to include any substance, product or preparation including fungi of any kind or description, containing psilocin or an ester of psilocin (which are commonly described as “magic mushrooms”) within the strict regime of control that applies to those drugs in Schedule 1 of the Regulations.

S.I. No. 92/2004 - Misuse of Drugs (Scheduled Substances) (Amendment) Regulations, 2004
The purpose of these Regulations is to implement Commission Directive 2003/101/EC relating to the manufacture and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

S.I. No. 540/2003 - Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 
The main purpose of these Regulations is to consolidate and to update the controls applicable to the prescription and supply of medicinal products to the public in accordance with the requirements of E.U. Directive 2001/83/EC of 6th November 2001 insofar as that Directive relates to the classification for the supply of medicinal products for human use. The Regulations also set out the classification for supply of medicinal products to the public as required by that Directive. The Regulations also impose particular restrictions on the sale of medicinal products containing paracetamol. In this context they prescribe maximum pack size for products when sold in pharmacies and in non-pharmacies.

S.I. No. 273/1999 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 1) Regulations, 1999
The purpose of these Regulations is to confer authority on certain inspectors, in the Department of Agriculture and Food, to lawfully possess Cannabis (hemp) in the course of their duties while monitoring and sampling for the purpose of the relevant EU scheme involving the grant of aid for the production of hemp fibre.

Licensing (Combating Drug Abuse) Act, 1997  
An Act to make provision for measures to combat drug abuse in places used for public dancing, licensed premises and other places of entertainment and to provide the garda síochána with powers to prevent drug abuse at unlicensed dances and for those purposes to amend the Licensing Acts, 1833 to 1995, section 51 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890, and the Public Dance Halls Act, 1935, and to provide for connected matters.

S.I. No. 342/1993 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations, 1993.
These Regulations amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1988— ( a ) to require exports of controlled drugs to be properly documented and to ensure that the relating shipping documentation properly identifies the drug. This is to conform with Article 16 of the United Nations Convention against illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, ( b ) to add certain additional substances to the Schedules to the Regulations. These include Khat, N-Hydroxy-tenamphetamine and 4-Methyl-aminorex (to Schedule 1), 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid (to Schedule 3) and Midazolam (to Schedule 4), ( c ) to reduce the extent of the controls applicable to Selegiline which is being transferred from Schedule 2 to Schedule 4, ( d ) to apply Schedule 3 type controls (except for import and export) to Flunitrazepam and Temazepam and to make consequential deletions from Schedule 4, and ( e ) to delete Phenylacetone (which as a scheduled substance is now to be the subject of another form of control under the Act).

S.I. No. 328/1988 - Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1988.
These Regulations apply controls to the groups of drugs specified in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Regulations (being drugs to which the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984 apply). The effect of the Regulations is to impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of the drugs in question, which vary according to the extent to which these drugs are used for medical or scientific purposes and having regard to the likelihood of their being abused. Appropriate exemptions are provided to cover legitimate use for professional purposes by doctors, pharmacists etc. and in other specified circumstances. In addition to these controls the Regulations specify the classes of persons who may have controlled drugs in their possession and the circumstances in which such possession would not be in contravention of the Act. The Regulations contain other miscellaneous provisions such as requirements as to the form of prescriptions for controlled drugs, the keeping of books and records, arrangements for destruction or disposal of such drugs, and provisions regarding possession of forged prescriptions.

S.I. No. 11/1988 - Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 1988.
These Regulations provide for increases in fees charged for licences granted under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 (No. 12 of 1977).

S.I. No. 263/1987 - Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations, 1987.
These Regulations amend the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1979 for the purpose of (1) applying Schedule 2 type controls to the substance buprenorphine, (2) reducing the concentration levels of dihydrocodeine in preparations above which Schedule 2 type controls apply and below which Schedule 4 type controls apply.

Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984
An Act to amend and extend the law relating to the misuse of certain dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs. [18th July, 1984]

Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977
An Act to prevent the misuse of certain dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs, to enable the minister for health to make for that purpose certain regulations in relation to such drugs, to enable that minister to provide that certain substances shall be poisons for the purposes of the Pharmacy Acts, 1875 to 1962, to amend the Pharmacopoeia Act, 1931 , the Poisons Act, 1961 , the Pharmacy Act, 1962 , and the Health Acts, 1947 to 1970, to repeal the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1934 , and section 78 of the Health Act, 1970 , and to make certain other provisions in relation to the foregoing. [16th may, 1977] [See also the amendments to the 1977 Act].

The Health Products Regulatory Authority webpage on controlled substances

Some key Irish alcohol legislation

There are a significant number of Irish Acts and Statutory Instruments that mention ‘alcohol' in the Irish Statue book. This includes:

S.I. No. 248/2023 - Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 2023
Notes the 22 May 2026 is appointed as the day on which section 12 (insofar as it is not already in operation) of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (No. 24 of 2018) comes into operation.

S.I. No. 249/2023 - Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023
Provides information on alcohol product containers. These Regulations shall come into operation on 22 May 2026.

S.I. No. 546/2023 - Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Section 19) (Commencement) Order 2023
Notes that section 19 (on broadcast hours) comes into operation on 10 January 2025.

S.I. No. 22/2021 - Irish Aviation Authority (Testing for Alcohol) Order 2021
Notes e.g.: Prohibition on performing duties on an aircraft when under the influence of Alcohol and Obligation to provide specimen of breath.

S.I. No. 4/2020 - Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Products) Regulations 2020
The purpose of these Regulations is to prohibit the use of bonus or loyalty card points in relation to alcohol products, to prohibit the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price when sold with another product or service and to prohibit the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price for a period of 3 days or less.

S.I. No. 480/2019 - Public Health (Alcohol) (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2019
These Regulations prescribe the form of a fixed payment notice under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (No. 24 of 2018) and the fixed payment payable in respect of the offence under that Act.

Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018
An Act to provide for the minimum price per gram of alcohol, to confer the power on the Minister for Health to, by order, increase that price, to provide for the labelling of alcohol products including the inclusion of health warnings and the alcohol content and energy content of alcohol products on alcohol product containers, to provide that an applicant for the grant or renewal of a licence under the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011 and an applicant for the grant or renewal of a licence under the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008 shall notify the Health Service Executive of the application, to provide for restrictions in relation to the advertising and sponsorship of alcohol products, generally and in relation to children, to provide procedures in relation to the exposure for sale and advertising of alcohol products in specified licensed premises, to confer power on the Minister for Health to make regulations for the purpose of prohibiting or restricting the sale of alcohol products in certain circumstances, to provide for enforcement measures, to provide for the repeal of certain provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 and the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 , and to provide for related matters.

Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Act 2018
An Act to amend the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011 and to provide for related matters.

Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Act 2018
An Act to provide for the grant of a licence authorising the sale of intoxicating liquor to visitors at breweries and distilleries and similar premises, and to provide for related matters.

Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008
An Act to amend and extend the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, the Courts of Justice Acts 1924 To 1961, The Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 To 2004 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, and to provide for related matters.

Intoxicating Liquor Act 2004
An Act to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988.

S.I. No. 30/2004 - European Communities (Ethyl Alcohol) Regulations 2004
The principal effects of these Regulations are to provide for penalties for breaches of certain provisions of the European Regulations on ethyl alcohol and confer powers of entry on authorised officers.

S.I. No. 379/2004 - Alcohol Products Tax Regulations, 2004
These Regulations consolidate and modernise the various alcohols excise regulations and implement the provisions of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Finance Act, 2003, which consolidated and modernised the corresponding primary legislation.

Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003
An Act to amend and extend the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2003, the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 To 2003 and the Equal Status Act 2000 and to provide for related matters.

Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003
An Act to provide for the licensing of indoor events and to amend the Fire Services Act 1981, and to provide for related matters.

Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000 An Act to amend the times at which it is lawful to sell or expose for sale any intoxicating liquor; to provide for the temporary closure of licensed premises where the licenceholder is convicted of certain offences related to the presence of persons under 18 on those premises; to make further provision in relation to the issue, upgrading and transfer of intoxicating liquor licences; to provide for the issue of licences in respect of certain authorised events at greyhound race tracks and racecourses; to increase the maximum fines for certain offences; to amend in other respects the Licensing Acts, 1833 to 1999, and the Registration Of Clubs Acts, 1904 to 1999; and to provide for connected matters.

Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1999 and Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1995 and Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988
Acts to amend and extend the Licensing Acts, 1833 to 1997, to amend and extend the Registration of Clubs Acts, 1904 to 1995, and to provide for connected matters

Industrial Alcohol (Amendment) Act, 1980
An act to amend the industrial alcohol acts, 1938 and 1947, and to provide for related matters.

Some key Irish tobacco legislation (see the Irish Statue Book for more):

Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023
An Act to provide for the licensing of the sale by retail of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products; to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a register of licences issued under and in accordance with the Act; to provide for certain related offences; and for those and other purposes, to provide for the amendment of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 ; and to provide for the consequential amendment of certain other enactments and the revocation of certain statutory instruments; and to provide for related matters.

S.I. No. 335/2023 - European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
These Regulations amend the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 to give effect to Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100 of 29 June 2022 amending Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the withdrawal of certain exemptions in respect of heated tobacco products. The Regulations also give further effect to Directive 2014/40/EU as regards the location of data storage facilities used as part of the traceability and security features systems for tobacco products.

S.I. No. 609/2022 - European Union (Extended Producer Responsibility) (Tobacco Filters Containing Plastic) Regulations 2022
These Regulations further transpose Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The regulations provide for the introduction of an extended producer responsibility scheme for tobacco filters containing plastic and impose obligations on producers, or their nominated authorised representative, who place tobacco filter products containing plastic on the Irish market.

S.I. No. 614/2021 - European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
These Regulations amend the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 to give effect to Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on market surveillance and compliance of products.

S.I. No. 132/2018 - European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2018
These Regulations amend Regulation 30 of the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 ( S.I. No. 271 of 2016) as amended by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 ( S.I. No. 252 of 2017) in relation to the product presentation for electronic cigarettes and refill containers.

Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015
An Act to provide for standardised packaging of tobacco and tobacco products; to give effect in part to Directive No. 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 1 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products and repealing Directive 2001/37/EC; and to provide for related matters.

Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014
An Act to create an offence of smoking a tobacco product in the presence of a child in a mechanically propelled vehicle; and to provide for related matters.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2013
An Act to amend the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002; to repeal certain provisions of the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Act 1978; and to provide for related matters.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2011
Amendment of section 38 of Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2010
An Act to provide for the dissolution of the office of tobacco control; to repeal part 2 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002; and to provide for related matters.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2009
An Act to amend the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004
An Act to give effect in part to directive no. 2001/37/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 5 June 20011 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products; to give effect to directive no. 2003/33/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 26 may 20032 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products; and for those and other purposes, and having regard to council recommendation of 2 December 20023 on the prevention of smoking and on initiatives to improve tobacco control, and the world health organisation framework convention on tobacco control done at Geneva on the 21st day of May 2003, to amend the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002.

Public Health (Tobacco) Act, 2002
An Act to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as the office of tobacco control, to provide for the registration of persons engaged in the business of selling tobacco products by retail, to provide for a prohibition on the advertising of tobacco products. a prohibition on sponsorship by manufacturers and importers of tobacco products and prohibitions on certain marketing practices in relation to tobacco products, to provide for the prohibition or restriction of tobacco smoking in certain places, to repeal the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Act, 1978, and the Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Act, 1988, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

This page was last updated in July 2024.