MINISTERS DELAY DECISION ON DRUGS

THE Assembly Executive yesterday deferred a decision on responsibility for
Northern Ireland's drugs strategy .

Despite the currentpolitical uncertainty and the prospect that both the
Executive Committee and the Assembly may be suspended, Ministers said they
would determine overall responsibility for the strategy at their next
meeting, due next Tuesday.

But a statement after yesterday's seventh meeting of the Executive said
there had been no delay in dealing with the additional pounds 1m funding
earmarked for action to tackle growing drugs abuse.

Ministers also discussed proposals for the next Structural Funds Programme.

The European Union's Regional Policy Commissioner, Michel Barnier, is due
to visit Northern Ireland on Friday.

He will hold talks with Secretary of State Peter Mandelson and meet
representatives from a number of EU funded youth
projects.