Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last year I brought a Bill to the House called the Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017. At the time there was a lot of commentary on it from Senators, which was fairly positive. Obviously, some Senators asked very legitimate questions and raised concerns. I have not pushed that Bill back onto the agenda because the Minister of State carried out the national drugs strategy and then published her report. She also then committed to setting up a consultation process, which is currently under way.

The area of addiction and trying to move it out of the justice system and towards the health system is something that is very close to my heart both for personal and professional reasons. The closing date for that consultation is 30 June and I encourage Senators to take part in that consultation process and add their voices to it, and to encourage their constituents and fellow party members to do the same. One does not have to do a huge amount of work. There is a simple survey which Senators may want to fill out. The questions and how they have been worded on behalf of that consultation group are very positive. I was really happy to see how it had been laid out and the options that were given. I ask Senators, who at some stage will come back to talk about decriminalisation of addiction and about marginalisation, to take the time ahead of that debate to also have their say and be part of that consultation process.