Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The argument for the legalisation of cannabis has raged for years and it generally falls into two camps, namely, health and crime, which divide the issue. In a way, I am quite delighted to see it raised at our committee, even though I do not think this is the right one to deal with it. It does not really fall into the matter of oversight or public policy. However, it is very close to the hearts of many people not only in Ireland but around the world. Therefore, it is right and proper that we refer the matter to the Joint Committee on Health and Children and the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to see if they wish to engage in a proper debate with the experts who, undoubtedly, will give both sides of that argument. It would at least further the debate, because it has been a matter of the public interest for a very long time. Unfortunately, this is not the committee to host such a debate.