Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

A statutory instrument is secondary legislation. It is obviously legislation. What was formerly legal is now illegal. This statutory instrument has determined that. The Minister for Health and Children has now created an illegal substance of what was formerly a legal substance. The premises that have been selling that substance are now in possession of an illegal substance. The Garda is entitled to come into those shops, confiscate the substance and prosecute the owners of the shops. Following the signing of the statutory instrument, what steps are being taken to ensure that innocent people do not find themselves being prosecuted under the new law?

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