Deputy Gino Kenny: I want to raise an issue in respect of the programme for Government, specifically the health-led approach to drug misuse outlined on page 50. Previous Governments have paid lip service to this issue. So much so, that thousands of people would still be alive had it not been for the lip service that Governments have paid to this issue. We have to take a different approach. The current approach does not work. Criminalising people for drug use simply does not work and is completely to the person and to society as a whole. The programme for Government states that a citizens' assembly should be convened to consider the matter. That is good. However, we need to go beyond that. We need to take action to save lives. We must take a different approach to drug misuse, because the current approach does not work. It costs lives. If the Government does not change its approach, it will cost more lives. 

Leo Varadkar, The Tánaiste: In response to Deputy Gino Kenny, the Government has invested a lot in addiction services in recent years. They have been expanded significantly, including in my own constituency. We are trying to move ahead with the plan for the supervised injecting centre at Merchant's Quay, but we have run into difficulties on that. 

I am of a similar view to the Deputy on the issue of decriminalisation. I do not believe the criminalisation model works. It leaves people with convictions and makes it harder for them to get on with their lives and to engage with services in order to get the help they need. Drug dealing and drug gangs are very different from what the Deputy is referring to. We both agree on that. As Taoiseach, I set up an expert group to consider the issue. It came to a different conclusion. However, the matter is not one on which the Government has closed its mind. Perhaps the convening of a citizens’ assembly is a better way to tease it out. 

Also, from that day’s debate:

Deputy Dessie Ellis: The general scheme of the criminal justice (exploitation of children in the commission of offences) Bill 2020 has been published and is expected to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny. Does the Tánasite know the timescale for this to be completed? There is real concern in my constituency that young children are increasingly being groomed to act as drug couriers by criminal elements involved in the drugs trade. The proposed legislation needs to be passed into law as soon as possible. 

The Tánaiste: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am afraid that I do not have a timeline in respect of the proposed legislation currently. It is very much part of the Department's work programme.