Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that we should shift towards a health-centred, rather than criminal justice-centred, approach to the drugs problem we have in this country. I also agree that a citizens’ assembly would be good vehicle to consider some of the complicated issues around that. The real question, from the experience of previous citizens’ assemblies, is the question to be put to the assemblies, as well as how one structures the information that will inform the decisions that they need to make. There is a queue, I understand, of a large number of different issues looking for access to the citizens’ assembly model to help us in policy deliberation. I do not have the exact timelines for which issue comes where. However, I agree with the Deputy. This issue would be very well-suited and well-placed to be considered in the citizens’ assembly. I would support in whatever way I could for it to be delivered.

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