Drug decriminalisation working group
Deputy Ellis asked when the promised working group on decriminalising possession of small amounts of drugs would meet and how it would operate. The Taoiseach said its establishment was imminent, it would report within about a year, and legislation would depend on its recommendations.
The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Catherine Byrne, indicated she was setting up a working group to look at alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use. The Oireachtas justice committee also recommended decriminalisation of small amounts of drugs for personal use. A review is badly needed and long overdue. Can the Taoiseach outline when this working group will meet? What are the criteria for selecting the group and does he envisage that legislation will be required? Currently, possession is an offence.
Comment on this
There is a commitment in the national drugs strategy to set up an extra working group to consider and report on the decriminalisation of possession of small amounts of drugs. Its establishment is imminent but I am not sure if it will be this week or next week. It is the Minister's intention to establish it before the end of the year and it will have about a year to do its work, after which it will make a recommendation. Legislation may be required but only if the group recommends it.