Emergency drug laws are being rushed through in Ireland after possession of ecstasy was temporarily legalised as a result of a court striking down a ban on another substance . Parliamentarians will sit into the night to pass legislation quickly after the Court of Appeal 's ruling temporarily makes legal the possession of the party drug , along with benzodiazepines and some so-called head shop drugs . Health minister Leo Varadkar said he is working to pass the emergency laws within 24 hours . 'We had no way of knowing what the court would decide today , but we prepared for this possibility , ' he said . The possession of ecstasy is temporarily legal in Ireland because of the knock-on effect caused by a Court of Appeal ruling striking down a ban on methylethcathinone . The move was necessary after a decision by the Court of Appeal on a challenge to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 . The case dealt with the powers of the Government to control substances harmful to human health . The three-judge court unanimously said a regulation making the possession of methylethcathinone - also known as 4-mec or snow blow - illegal was invalid . Because of the way the laws are drawn up , the ruling had the knock-on effect of temporarily legalising the possession of some other drugs . The Dublin government said the outcome of the case did not affect existing laws on heroin , cocaine or cannabis . While the case dealt with the legality of possession of named substances , their sale and supply remains an offence . 'Legislation was prepared and approved in advance by cabinet , ' said Mr Varadkar . 'The emergency legislation I am introducing today will re-instate the status quo and re-control all drugs that were controlled prior to this judgment . ' Irish health minister for Health Leo Varadkar is working to pass the emergency laws within 24 hours . 'We had no way of knowing what the court would decide today , but we prepared for this possibility , ' he said . Irish parliamentarians will be sitting through the night at Leinster House in Dublin to overturn the temporary legalisation of the possession of ecstasy .
Party drug made legal along with benzodiazepines and some other drugs . Result caused by Court of parliament overturning methylethcathinone ban . Health minister ram Varadkar said the ban was responsible . Tonight 's session at Leinster House in Dublin will work to repeal ban . Change has had no effect on existing laws on heroin , cocaine or heroin .