At the outset, I welcome the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use and its 36 recommendations. Why am I doing that today? I am doing that because I want to go further and welcome that Cabinet yesterday approved the establishment of a special Oireachtas committee to consider the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use. That is the right thing to do, first of all, to thank the assembly for the enormous work it did. There is much thought in the 36 recommendations. It is important that it come back to the Oireachtas because, ultimately, the Oireachtas determines law and makes decisions. As I said, I was particularly pleased yesterday that the proposal was brought to Cabinet by the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who has ultimate responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy. I acknowledge her huge work and commitment on this. She always said it was her intention that we would come back and discuss it in detail in the Oireachtas.

I was also pleased that the Taoiseach officially announced on the floor of the Dáil yesterday that he will seek an Independent TD to chair the committee. That is a measure of political maturity, reasonableness, fairness and pragmatism. The Taoiseach of this country decided that. That is his decision and I warmly welcome it because at times, there is much criticism about parliamentary democracy and it is constantly challenged, particularly when there is a very large coalition. It makes it difficult. I acknowledge and thank the Taoiseach for that decision. Clearly, that is a decision he has taken as leader of our country and it is one I welcome. The Taoiseach went on to say there will be 14 members and that he hopes this committee will be up and running in April. Again, that is important.

My ask of the Leader and Cathaoirleach today is that we need to sit down in terms of the Oireachtas. Clearly, the Seanad will have nominees to that committee. We should work constructively and support one another to put in place early the people who are going forward and who will represent the Seanad as part of this committee. Let us talk about it in a mature and political way. Again, I want to particularly thank the Taoiseach for his initiative in agreeing to select or put forward an Independent Member of Dáil Éireann to chair this really important committee.