Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is to examine the possible decriminalisation of cannabis in his new role as Minister of State with Responsibility for the Drug Strategy.
The Labour TD’s new position was confirmed in the Dáil on Thursday by Tanaiste Joan Burton.
He said his first task will be to examine the National Drugs Strategy which expires next year.
Mr Ó Ríordáin said he is willing to examine to the potential relaxation of the laws.
He said: “I believe someone who has an addiction issue should be dealt with through the health system and not the criminal justice system.
“I think people – guards, the prison service – will probably agree with me on that. We have an opportunity through the legislation that is forthcoming the Misuse of Drugs Act to investigate that.
“I am going to mark any hard calls on that but the difference between decriminalisation and legalisation is quite different.
“We need to have a proper discussion before we set up alarm bells in people’s heads.”
Source: Sarah Bardon, Irish Independent, 24/04/15
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