Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Gino Kenny for bringing this Bill forward. Progressive Bills enable us to have a debate in which we consider drug use and possession of various kinds in our society are to be welcomed. It is clear that the current response to drug use and drug possession needs reform. How that reform is approached and structured is complex and has a fundamental importance from health, rehabilitation and criminal justice viewpoints.

The Bill focuses on a particular aspect of reforming the current system and that is to allow for the legal possession of no more than a specific amount of cannabis or cannabis resin. When he introduced the Bill, Deputy Kenny referred to having a mature discussion on this and was critical of the criminalisation of people for the possession small amounts of drugs. I agree with him that both these points need to be addressed. As a party, we do not want to see people criminalised and jailed for possession of small amounts of drugs for their personal use, especially in light of the implications this can have from a personal perspective, as well as on the criminal justice system. That is the value of the debates prompted by Bills such as this and, of course, by the convening of forums such as the Citizen's Assembly on Drugs Use, which, incidentally, recommended a health-based approach be taken, moving away from the use of an overburdened criminal justice system.

The Government has tabled an amendment to defer progressing this Bill until the House has had the opportunity to consider the report of the Citizen's Assembly on Drugs Use. Frankly, given the fact that open discussion very much prevails in light of the citizens’ assembly and its report, and in anticipation of the establishment of a special Oireachtas committee, I do not really see the point in delaying a particular discussion or debate when it is so relevant.

These are discussions that need to happen. Drug policy needs to be informed through research, debate, drawing on the experience and often open discussion. Delaying Bills such as this stifles that debate. Specifically on this Bill, there are issues that need to be examined in the justice and health areas, and we need to examine the experience of other jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalised.

I would like to see this Bill given further scrutiny at committee level, but in light of the Government's amendment, it appears the Bill will be delayed, which is regrettable, as the progress that is being made in the examination of current and future drugs policy should not be interrupted by delaying Bills like this.

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