Plans to ban a range of substances sold in head shops have been welcomed by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs.

Youth Work Ireland has also welcomed the move but criticised the Government's response as slow.

It also warned that there are other products not covered by yesterday's announcement.

From June, it will be against the law to carry or sell Kettamine, liquid ecstasy, Spice, Snow, Magic, Blow, Tapentadol, BZP derivatives and many more.

The Government must now notify the European Union and it will take three months before the substances become illegal - when they come under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

At the moment, it is legal to go into a head shop and buy legal highs, which mimic the effects of popular illegal drugs.

There has been a big increase in the number of head shops in Ireland in recent months but, following protests, the Government has now decided to ban the sale and possession of many of such legal highs.