Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to get the opportunity to say a few words on this legislation. I welcome the debate but, sadly, I cannot support the Bill. I worry so much about the evidence regarding drugs and what they are doing to youngsters, lovely young boys and girls, and how families are broken up and people finish up in bad health. We can see that cannabis use has been on the rise for nearly two decades. While some of the people in favour of the Bill will say that it is not a serious or bad drug in itself, it is the gateway and stepping stone to harder drugs.

I have heard the medical profession say that there are more people adversely affected by cannabis than any other drug because there is more of it being used. The with me in Kerry, the Acting Chairman knows that in Mayo and everywhere else it is on the rise in every little town, hamlet and parish. We see the devastation it is creating. I cannot support this Bill because I see what is involved. I know what it is to bring up children and I see my children bringing up their children. I know what is invested in children's lives in trying to get them going. This is not right, and I cannot support this Bill. It would damage people's health or lead them to harder drugs.

I ask that more education about the ill effects of drugs be made available, especially in secondary schools. Like Deputy Michael Collins, I support the use of medicinal cannabis for that purpose, where it is regulated.

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