Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept that it is a misinformed answer. The health diversion programme will connect participants with health services and it will provide a pathway to treatment and recovery where there is problematic drug use. It will also allow participants to avoid a criminal conviction. An interdepartmental group, chaired by representatives of the Department of Health, is considering legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General and the formal views of the Garda Commissioner. The group, as the Deputy may know, is chaired by the former Minister of State and Deputy, Kathleen Lynch, who is doing an excellent job. I have been working closely with her in that regard, as has the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan. Certain legal procedures and logistical issues must be clarified before this roll-out can commence. However, we are not burying our heads in the sand on this issue. We are acutely conscious of the linkages between mental health, dual diagnosis, addiction and court proceedings, and much work has been done in this regard.

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