Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
707. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take in relation to nitrous oxide following the publication of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drug Use Final Report; her views on the report’s recommendations relating to nitrous oxide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50816/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment of the successor national drugs strategy is ongoing.
I published the draft successor strategy for the period 2026-2029 on 5th February. It sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use. It reflects the changing patterns of drug use, the associated health and social challenges, the interface with the criminal justice system, and the threats from a volatile and dynamic global drug market.
I had asked that a number of actions be taken prior to the finalisation of the Strategy:
• To ensure that everyone, including those with lived and living experience of drug use, families, communities, and service providers, could understand the proposals and share their views, she asked that a public consultation be conducted. 321 submissions were received and a report on the Findings published.
• To ensure continued collaborative working with the 24 Drug and Alcohol Taskforces, I requested that a stakeholder engagement process be put in place on the future shape of regional structures, taking in to account the new HSE Health Regions. This engagement has taken place and common ground has been agreed on the regional structures.
• To allow the Joint Committee on Drug Use to consider the draft strategy and to publish its report & recommendations so that they can inform the strategy.
A number of recommendations contained in the final report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use pertain to nitrous oxide. The Department of Health is currently engaging with other Government Departments and State agencies to determine whether nitrous oxide could be controlled as part of the Misuse of Drugs Act, and, given the wide range of legitimate uses of this substance, what the most appropriate legislative path forward would be in this regard. The evidence on the risk to public health by the misuse of nitrous oxide is a priority concern in these considerations.
I am committed to implementing effective measures to control nitrous oxide, as part of a whole-of-government response to the challenges and threats of the global drugs market.
