Citizens' Assembly on drugs
Deputy Kenny welcomed the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use and said its likely recommendation for decriminalisation or regulation reflected decades of failure under criminalisation. The Tánaiste said the report was not yet complete, objected to any inside track on the process, and said he would read and consider it.
The Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use will meet for the final time this weekend. It has been going on for the last six months and was a much-needed debate. All indications from the assembly will point to a different approach. We have had an approach that has failed for the last six decades. Indications from the assembly are that they will call for decriminalisation and possibly regulation, which I fully support and others will support as well. We have had six decades of criminalising people and it simply has not worked. If the recommendations from the assembly are for a radical approach, what will the Government do?
Comment on this
I have not seen the report. The report has not been completed. The Deputy seems to be on the inside track.
Comment on this
We need to reflect on that, too. I am not so sure anybody should be on inside tracks or orchestrating a particular outcome from what should really be a very objective and open process. I will leave that with the House. I will read the report and am looking forward to receiving it. We will then consider it.