Oireachtas Committees
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

I thank the Deputy for highlighting this very important issue and the 161 recommendations. First, I thank the Joint Committee on Drug Use for its work. I welcomed the report and I am in agreement with many of its recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year I published a draft of the national drugs strategy. I delayed it because I wanted to work with the committee. Three things happened and this was why it was delayed, by the way. It was not that we went ahead and did the drugs strategy. I delayed it because of this. The three things were: first, public consultation to ensure everything could be shared; and, second, a stakeholder engagement process on the future shape of the structure under the HSE. As the Deputy knows, we have six health regions. We were very mindful in the new drugs strategy we involved every region. The third thing was the Joint Committee on Drugs Use. We waited until the Deputy’s committee had its recommendations, so we could work with it. That needs to be clarified.
The committee's report sets out its consideration of the 36 recommendations of Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use. The views of the committee will contribute to the development of an integrated and evidence-informed health-led response to drug use. I acknowledge the 161 recommendations made by the committee, several of which relate to the national drugs strategy. I have asked that these recommendations are taken into account in the finalisation of the strategy. I hope it will be finalised by 1 September.
It is important to say to the Deputy and the committee, which has done great work, that many of the 161 recommendations are relevant to several Departments, so it is not just my own one. They fall between different Departments. I requested that consideration is given to these by my Government colleagues. I am now working with my Government colleagues on these.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09