Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, for bringing forward this motion approving the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use. I also thank all of the other stakeholders, the Members of the Dáil and Seanad and the many people who have pursued this in a very measured way. I am delighted that, after many years, the citizens’ assembly will start. I want to highlight that the national drugs strategy that is in place for the period 2017 to 2025, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, has brought a health-led approach to people who use drugs, and we should certainly acknowledge the great work done in that regard. I believe the terms of reference of the citizens’ assembly have sufficient scope and we look forward to the carefully considered recommendations which will come to the Oireachtas. There is huge scope to reduce the harmful impact of drug use on individuals, families, communities and the wider society. The citizens’ assembly will also take into account the implications for the health, justice and education systems.

This is not a Dublin problem or a city problem. Unfortunately, individuals, families and communities are affected by the harmful impact of illicit drug use in every city, town, village and rural area in this country. What we want to do is reduce the harm and the risk of harm caused by illicit drugs. Yesterday, I was in Ballybofey at a drug-related intimidation and violence engagement seminar which was bringing people together to deal with drug-related intimidation, which is happening not just in cities but in every area of our country. I commend those who are working on that.

We need more lives saved, and there are now more people in treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. Again, we want to reduce harm, reduce supply, reduce demand and look for a health-led approach and for well-being in our country. The citizens’ assembly's work will be about developing an understanding of the individuals, families and communities impacted by illicit drugs. We need those voices of drug users, their families and those affected by illicit drug use to be heard.

When I go around the world, I find Ireland is regarded as a world leader in regard to the citizens’ assembly and we have led the way in many areas. It is a great way of taking the politics out of very delicate, emotive and difficult situations, which is what the citizens’ assembly has done. I am looking forward to seeing the assembly engage comprehensively with professional bodies, stakeholders, representative groups and the general public and I also look forward to seeing the national and international experts. We need that time and space.

There is one aspect I would like to highlight. Last August, I was in Colombia, where they are taking a different approach to the war on drugs. Something I did not realise is that they see the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland as the problem. We are the market. Every time we think of Columbia, we think of the drug cartels and corrupt government. What is happening in Colombia is disgraceful. Many people here talk about snorting cocaine and taking whatever, and they also talk about fair trade and giving a fair price to developing countries.

Think, however, of the farmers who have been punished by having their crops destroyed and by the deployment of troops to coca-growing areas. This has cost billions. It has cost the lives of thousands of innocent farmers, civilians and soldiers in clashes and drug-related violence. There must be sustainable alternatives to coca. Coca buyers and the drug cartels have moved in. They have moved in from Mexico and taken over all these areas. When you are snorting your cocaine, we say think about the children and about the families in Ireland, but think about the hundreds of thousands of farmers and innocent people in those countries that your money is going to keeping imprisoned by drug cartels. This is an aspect of the debate that should be brought to the attention of the citizens' assembly. It is an aspect that has been highlighted, and one that I witnessed. People came to me and pleaded that they need help. The Government of Colombia needs help. Following on from the Minister for Justice's comments in recent days, this an aspect that we need to think about. We are talking about free trade, fair trade and coffee, but there are people who are suffering repression by drug cartels. That is something we need to discuss.

I thank the Minister of State and the officials in the Department. I thank all Members, Opposition and Government, for the measured way in which they have discussed this matter and expressed their feelings on the floor of the Dáil. That augurs very well for the citizens' assembly, which is much needed and anticipated and which will save lives.

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