Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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I thank Ms Lawlor and Deputy Kenny. I have some questions. Professor Stevens posited that it would be very unfair to suggest it was the only reason, and that it was very far from it. He spoke about the likelihood of apprehension being low and that criminalisation was not really not really a deterrent for drug use or possession. Could that argument be made in respect of many other offences in the criminal justice system and even for relatively minor road traffic offences? Anecdotally it would seem that the risk of apprehension for speeding or not wearing a seat belt is low. Is that unique to criminalisation for possession or misuse of prescribed substances?