Lynn Ruane (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Deputy. There is lots in that. I will ask a few questions as well. We do have clinical-grade drugs that hospitals use that do not require engagement with the Taliban, when we look at how all medicines are made, so there may be some questions as to whether that is an accurate representation. There are things like heroin-assisted treatment programmes in other countries, and I am sure they are not engaging with the Taliban on clinical-grade heroin.

I am sure I can be corrected on that but my instinct would tell me that is not the case. There is something I am not understanding that is an undercurrent, which is the resistance to answer Deputy Kenny's very first question about the drugs Act having criminalised people who use drugs and people who experience addiction. Can I put that question back? It is a very simple question. Perhaps the witnesses from each Department and the HSE could answer that. Forgetting prohibition and legalisation, has section 3 of the drugs Act criminalised people who use drugs and people who experience addiction?