Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Lastly - I appreciate we have gone over time - Ms Lawlor, one of the ills you sought to have combated by decriminalisation was that young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are led into the illicit world of trading in drugs. Does it follow that that will be countered only by a legalisation, not just a decriminalisation? A decriminalisation will tacitly accept that a market still exists. That will have to be accompanied by a legalisation of drugs.