The programme for Government commits to developing a national drugs strategy, which was to have been published in April. I raised the matter in the House a few weeks ago and the Tánaiste forwarded a reply indicating that the strategy would now be published next week after the House rises. The purpose of raising the question initially is that the strategy is to run for an extended period, to 2025, and the intention was that it would have been debated in this House, had things gone according to plan, but that is not now possible.

This is the second time this has occurred. I asked the Taoiseach previously whether he would publish the submissions on the mid-term capital review and if we could have a debate on it. My concern is that issues of national importance in terms of strategies and policies are being adopted by the Government, a minority Government, that will endure long beyond the life of the Government, without respect for this House having an opportunity to debate them. In future, will the Taoiseach acknowledge the issue I have raised and allow debates on those issues rather than for the Government to adopt policies and strategies without any reference to this House?

The new strategy was approved by the Cabinet just this week and will be published next week by me and the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. I imagine it will be possible to facilitate a debate in September or October after we return. As Deputy Curran said, it is a long-term strategy. I accept the validity of his point that it would be better if we were able to debate strategies in the House in a timely manner, although that would obviously restrict us from publishing any strategies during the recess period. I agree that it would be preferable and more ideal if we were to allow for debate in the House on strategies around the time they are published.