Ivana Bacik (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My apologies, Chairman, I was caught at another meeting. I thank all the speakers and groups who have contributed. It is refreshing and important for us to hear their varied and wide experience and expertise in the area and to hear so many contributions. I realise it is not universal and that there is a divergence of views, but many have spoken of the merits of moving to a health-based model as opposed to a purely criminal justice or penal model.

One question struck me following the intervention from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and Ms Quigley relating to the Portuguese experience. I was not on our delegation that went to Portugal, but we got the impression that it was regarded as successful in terms of harm reduction and better outcomes for persons with chronic addiction. Is that a fair assessment? Someone raised the point that there was an alternative perspective on the Portuguese model. I am keen to hear the views on that.