Government criticised for delaying Citizen’s Assembly on drugs

The Government has been criticised for refusing to commit to a Citizen’s Assembly on drugs and drug use until at least 2023.

Labour TD for Dublin Bay North Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said Taoiseach Micheál Martin has backtracked on his promise that the assembly will take place this year.

“Less than two short weeks ago (Wednesday, 9th February) I asked the Taoiseach if there were any concrete plans to have a Citizens’ Assembly on drugs,” he said.

“He gave a firm commitment that one would take place later this year.

“However, the Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan, has alerted the media that no such assembly will take place until at least next year.

“This is beyond frustrating,” Ó Ríordáin said.

“People are dying, apparently their lives aren’t worth enough to act.

“If cattle were dying at the same rate as people are dying from drug overdoses, there would have been a citizens’ assembly on it yesterday.

“This delay shows the lack of urgency, the lack of care, the lack of compassion of the Government,! he says.

“We have lost patience and confidence in the Minister.

“He is now clearly part of the problem.

“We have waited 18 months for him to step up and do something and he isn’t doing it.

“The reality is that people, in every community, are dying while the Government sits on their hands.

“It is completely unacceptable.”