Outgoing Justice Minister Helen McEntee criticized Fianna Fáil for lacking clarity in their drug decriminalization stance, emphasizing the need for detailed policy—especially around which drugs would be affected. She noted, "What we don't want is a situation where somebody ends up in the criminal justice system, and that maybe for just a small amount of drug possession; and that just sets their life on a trajectory that could have gone another way."
Jack Chambers from Fianna Fáil clarified that the party does not support decriminalizing Class A drugs, suggesting instead a focus on substances like cannabis. He stated, "We think any future Government would have to assess the recommendations of the Citizen's Assembly very carefully," highlighting the cautious approach the party advocates in the drug policy landscape.
Minister McEntee pointed out discrepancies in Fianna Fáil's approach, asserting, "Fianna Fáil wants a 'blanket decriminalisation.' What Fianna Fáil have said very clearly in their manifesto is that they would decriminalise drugs for personal use, they haven't specified what kind of drugs, how much is personal use, and how would that be applied."
Minister Hildegarde Naughton emphasized earlier that the objective is to prevent minor drug possession cases from leading individuals into the criminal justice system. She explained, "We need to work through [the recommendations], Fianna Fáil's proposal does not get into detail as to what they're talking about."
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