Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The national drugs strategy - Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - is the way forward. We established a working group in December 2017 to consider alternative approaches. It examined the option of decriminalising drugs and did not deem it an appropriate option in the Irish context due to legal difficulties and the fact that the group was very concerned it could lead to a de facto legalisation of drugs, as well as operational difficulties for the Garda. At the moment, there is no desire at Government level to decriminalise or legalise drugs, especially cannabis. I think we are talking about cannabis as well. Cannabis is a drug, and a dangerous one, as are tobacco and alcohol, and it needs to be regulated to a certain extent. I will bring in my colleague, Mr. Keenan, who deals with this issue, to offer his views.