James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses. I apologise for the delayed start to the meeting. Today is particularly busy in Leinster House, as the witnesses are aware, and a number of votes are taking place. We were a little delayed getting back to the committee room to start proceedings. Apologies have been received from Senator Martin and Deputies Carroll MacNeill and Alan Farrell. On behalf of the committee, I send condolences to Deputy Farrell on the death of his father on Saturday.

I remind members, and inform the witnesses who are not familiar with proceedings, to mute their mobile phones or, ideally, to place them in aeroplane mode. This is because they can interfere with the recording even if they do not appear to do so at the time. It can play up afterwards in the context of the sound system. I ask people to be aware of this. Some members are joining us online. They are very welcome. I ask them to mute their microphones when they are not speaking and to remember to unmute when they are speaking to ensure that the proceedings flow smoothly.

I look forward to what I think is going to be a very interesting discussion. The topic is an examination of the current approach to sanctions for the possession of certain amount of drugs for personal use. It is a little bit of a long-winded way to say decriminalisation. We are examining whether the current approach of sanctions, including legal sanctions, work appropriately or should other methods or approaches be considered.

I welcome Dr. Garrett McGovern, medical director of the Priority Medical Clinic in Dundrum. From the Cannabis Risk Alliance, I welcome Professor Bobby Smyth and Dr. Hugh Gallagher, who is a specialist in addiction medicine. From Patients for Safe Access, I welcome Mr. Kenny Tynan, executive director, and Mr. Martin Condon, director. From Crainn, I welcome Mr. Brendan Minish, who is a board member. Mr. Minish is joining us online. I am delighted to have an international guest at today's meeting. I welcome Dr. Nuno Capaz, who is the director of the Portuguese Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction. I look forward to the benefit of his experience. It will be particular interesting to see what is done elsewhere. It is often good practice to look abroad and see what has worked or not worked elsewhere.

Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by me to discontinue their remarks. If this occurs, it is imperative that they comply with the direction. For those witnesses participating remotely the same advice applies, with the added caveat that even though we have had hybrid meetings for some time it is as yet untested what degree of privilege extends across an Internet connection. As I often say, it is good manners not to disparage people who are not present and cannot reply.

The way we operate meetings is to invite a short opening statement from each organisation that comes before us. We have set this at three minutes per organisation. This might seem short, but there will be ample time over the course of the meeting to come back in several times. After each organisation has had its three minute slot to make opening remarks, set the scene and give an idea of where it is coming from, we go to members in the order in which they have indicated. The members generally have a seven minute slot which they can use for a monologue or for rapid fire questions and answers. It is up to each member how they choose to use their time. After seven minutes I will move on to the next member so that everybody gets to speak. Generally, we find this conducive to good debate. If organisations or groups are not asked a question I may invite their representatives to come in if they have not spoken as the debate goes on. I hope this is all clear.

I invite Mr. Minish to make his opening statement on behalf of Crainn. I look forward to hearing what he has to say.