Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has moved to completely outlaw the sale of "magic mushrooms" in the State.
The measure to outlaw the practice of selling the unprocessed mushrooms was discussed by the Cabinet at a meeting today.
Following that meeting the Tánaiste signed a statutory instrument to give effect to the ban on the sale or possession of mushrooms containing the psychoactive drug psilocibin, whether raw or processed.
Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has moved to completely outlaw the sale of
A spokesman for Ms Harney said the product would be banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and that it was an "immediate step". He said that once approval is gained from the Cabinet the amendment to the Act must be laid before the houses of the Oireachtas.
Although processed or dried mushrooms are already banned, it has not been illegal to sell them in their raw state in the Republic of Ireland.
"In December I met with the family of a young man who died after having consumed psychoactive mushrooms," said Ms Harney.
"At that time it had become clear that the sale of magic mushrooms was increasingly commonplace, and I directed that legislation be prepared to clarify the law to ensure that the trade in these drugs could not continue."
Earlier this week a Cork shop owner complained over seizures of magic mushrooms she claims were being legally sold in their raw state.
Helen Stone, who owns the Funky Skunk clothing and organic products store at Hanover Place in Cork, secured leave from Mr Justice Frank Clarke to bring an application on Friday for an injunction restraining customs officers from seizing the shipments from The Netherlands or from interfering with them in any way.
