Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas le Deputy Collins for sharing her time with me so that I could speak on this very important motion. While we are here today debating the motion on the establishment of a citizens' assembly, we are a year behind schedule already. There have been several delays and I hope there will no further delays. The Minister of State's predecessor, Deputy Feighan, had said that all of the relevant background work was being put in place to facilitate the establishment of this assembly as soon as possible this year.

In the short amount of time I have, I want to talk about criminalising the drug user. This has not worked. It is not grounded in evidence or respect for human dignity. Why are we in this Chamber having to talk about the need for a citizens' assembly? It is because of the stigma, the shame and the fear associated with conversations and debates around the use of drugs and those who are in need. More than 30 countries have decriminalised drug possession for personal use. Here we are only now talking about the establishment of the citizens' assembly. I hope, by the time the recommendations are implemented by this House, the people who have needed these structural and policy changes are not bitter from the wait they have had to endure while the Government and this House take action on behalf of those who do not have voices. I am so happy that at least some people will have their say. Until policymakers have the ear of the victims, those who have been harmed by the policies implemented in this House, we will not see the changes that are needed.

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