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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Ireland: We ask Irish political parties where they stand on Cannabis Regulation Bill ahead of debate Cathal Ryan Irish Mirror Wednesday 31 Jan 2024 Irish political parties have delivered their stances on People Before Profit’s Cannabis Regulation Bill ahead of the debate on Wednesday, which could see a landmark cannabis bill reach the next stage in the legislative process. People Before Profit’s Gino Kenny brought the bill forward in November 2022, and now the TD, who has been a vocal supporter of the regulation and legislation of cannabis, will use the party’s private members’ time to debate the bill, which is in the second stage. If passed, the bill, which looks to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use, will move to the third stage where an Oireachtas Committee will examine the bill in detail and may make amendments before it moves to the fourth stage when the bill is reviewed by the whole house. While the bill will still be debated today, on Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar proposed that a nine-month delay be put in place regarding voting on the bill - citing the need to "tease out" what decriminalisation means in an "Irish context". In October, the members of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use voted to recommend the end of the current laws criminalising people caught with illegal substances for personal use, opting for a comprehensive health-led strategy. The vote for cannabis was the closest - with just one vote in the difference between a health-led approach and legalisation and regulation - a point that will be central to the debate on Wednesday. Ahead of the debate, the Irish Mirror asked each major Irish political party what their stance was on the bill, and how they would be voting. Fianna Fáil A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil told the Irish Mirror that the party is committed to a “health-led approach to drug use”. “By treating the use of substances as a public health issue, rather than solely as a criminal issue, the strategy can better help individuals, their families, and communities.” However, the party and the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD believe that the Private Members’ Bill is “pre-emptive” and should be deferred for a period of nine months. The spokesperson added: “This will allow time to establish a special Oireachtas committee to consider the recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly for the introduction of a comprehensive health-led approach and to advise the most appropriate next steps. “In this context, debating the bill at this stage would undermine the work of a special Oireachtas committee.” People Before Profit People Before Profit are the party who have brought the Cannabis Regulation Bill, with Gino Kenny using the party’s private member's time to bring the bill into its second stage. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, the Dublin Mid-West TD said: "I would guess the Government can’t vote against it, considering the Citizens' Assembly has made a recommendation around decriminalisation.” He added: “I’m hopeful that it won’t be voted down. That would be nonsensical. The most important thing is that the recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly are implemented, especially the piece around legislative change.” Deputy Kenny previously said that this bill is “moderate” and would “modernise” the way Ireland deals with cannabis. He said: “This bill to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use is a moderate bill but is one that would modernise the way in which Ireland deals with drugs- specifically cannabis in this case. “The Citizens’ Assembly has recommended the decriminalisation of certain drugs including cannabis as part of a move to look at drugs under a health-led approach as opposed to a criminal justice approach.” Fine Gael Minister Hildegarde Naughton told the Irish Mirror that Fine Gael also supports a "health-led approach to the issue of illicit drugs" a position endorsed by the Citizens’ Assembly report. The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well-Being and the National Drugs Strategy continued: "I appreciate there are many challenges, but as Minister with responsibility for this area, I am committed to building on the progress already made. "Government’s decision to establish the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use has started this process. As we can see from the Citizens’ Assembly report, drug misuse is a complex issue. There are no easy solutions." However, as with Fianna Fáil, the party has stated that the bill is "pre-emptive" and that the bill should be deferred for nine months, adding: "Following the publication of the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, it is anticipated that a special Oireachtas committee will be established to consider in detail the report’s 36 recommendations and agree on the most appropriate next steps. "On this basis, the view of Government is that PMB is pre-emptive and should be deferred for a period of nine months, pending the deliberations of the special Oireachtas committee.” Social Democrats A spokesperson for the Social Democrats told the Irish Mirror they will be voting in favour of this bill, adding that they also expect to support the setting up of a special Oireachtas committee, further to the Citizens' Assembly report. Róisín Shortall, the Social Democrats’ health spokesperson, will be speaking during the debate on the bill. Labour A spokesperson for Labour told the Irish Mirror they will be supporting the Cannabis Regulation Bill adding that Labour has long campaigned on the issue. Labour’s justice spokesperson Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said: “For too long the political class have buried their heads in the sand when it comes to drugs, seeing those who experience problems with drugs and substance abuse as less worthy for care. “There’s an opportunity here to finally protect vulnerable drug users and wake up to the reality of drug use in Ireland.” Sinn Féin Although Sinn Féin did not respond directly to this publication’s question regarding the party’s stance on Gino Kenny’s Cannabis Regulation Bill, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD told the Irish Mirror he “commended” the recent work done by the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use. Pa Daly said: “Sinn Féin called for the creation of an assembly and the report is comprehensive. The Citizens’ Assembly was formed to recommend changes the State could make in order to reduce the harmful impacts of illicit drugs. “The clear message from the report is that it is time for change in how we treat drug use. We need an approach that is progressive, comprehensive and coherent. The Assembly recommendations provide a good template for future drug policy.” Green Party The Green Party did not directly respond to the Irish Mirror’s question on the party’s stance regarding the Cannabis Regulation Bill. However, the party states on its website that the Green Party supports the decriminalisation of the possession of fewer than five grams of cannabis products. Furthermore, Green Party Finance and Health spokesperson Neasa Hourigan delivered a submission to the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use. She wrote: “We need an evidence-based drug policy that comes from a position of harm reduction. Thousands of people in addiction are treated as the enemy, rather than someone in need of help. “The consequences of our approach to drugs affect all parts of our society, undermining our health and justice systems, driving homelessness, and supporting organised crime and anti-social behaviour.” Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/cannabis-regulation-bill-government-debate-32004862
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