Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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132. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of his Department in relation to setting terms of reference for the upcoming Citizens' assembly on drugs. [48623/22]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Two Citizens’ Assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government were established in February this year, one on the issue of Biodiversity Loss and the other on the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin.

The inaugural meeting for both Assemblies took place in April 2022. The Terms of Reference, as set out by the Oireachtas, call on the Assemblies to conclude their deliberations within eight months, and to submit their reports ideally no later than nine months from the date of commencement, and sooner if possible.

The establishment of the next Citizens’ Assemblies, one on Drug Use and the other on the Future of Education, will be subject to a Government decision and resolutions of Dáil and Seanad Éireann at the appropriate time.

The question of when the next Assemblies might commence depends in large part on how soon the current Assemblies conclude their work and submit their reports.