Full Breakdown
Irish Oireachtas Committee Calls for Decriminalisation of Personal Drug Possession
6/24/2026, 11:06:21 PM
Recommendation to Decriminalise Personal Possession
The Oireachtas Committee on Drugs issued a report urging that possession of any drug for personal use be removed from the criminal code. It proposes a health-led response, local-authority by-laws to limit public consumption, mobile consumption sites, and increased funding for community-based treatment.
Background and Citizens Assembly Input
The committee was formed after the 2024 Citizens Assembly on Drug Use recommended decriminalisation for personal possession. Over several months the nine TDs and five senators gathered testimony before finalising the report.
Key Figures
Chair Gary Gannon (Social Democrats TD) presented the findings; deputy chair Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fáil Senator) highlighted the spread of cocaine, cannabis and new substances; Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Drugs Jennifer Murnane O'Connor responded to the report.
Data on Treatment Demand
Micheál Martin cited 15,422 people seeking treatment for problem drug use in 2025, with cocaine addiction representing 42 % of cases.
Official Government Position
The government said it will give the report “very serious consideration” and will continue diverting people found with drugs for personal use to health services. While the coalition programme stops short of full decriminalisation, it aligns with the Citizens Assembly’s health-led approach. The minister warned that full decriminalisation would “effectively legalise” possession, leaving the Misuse of Drugs Act unchanged.
Criticism and Concerns
The committee noted a “small sample of jurisdictions” where decriminalisation coincided with increased public consumption. Government officials echoed the caution, stating decriminalisation “does not guarantee consumption goes down.”
Conflicting Views and Gaps
- The committee urges outright decriminalisation; the coalition programme does not commit to it.
- The minister says no amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, while the report implies legislative change.
- Evidence from other jurisdictions remains limited, leaving the impact on consumption uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is a recognition that criminalising people for their own drug use has not reduced harm, and that a different approach is both possible and overdue,” — Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD
- “Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin told the Dáil (Irish parliament) said over the last 20 years, there "hasn't been a criminal response" to personal possession of drugs and said instead it has been mostly "health led".” — Micheál Martin, Taoiseach
- “The Irish minister for drugs Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said the full decriminalisation of drugs would "effectively legalise" the possession of drugs for personal use.” — Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister for Drugs
- “Therefore, the committee recommends that local authorities are required to discourage and reduce consumption in public areas, including through the use of local authority byelaws, similar to those governing the consumption of alcohol in public.” — Oireachtas Committee on Drugs
Outlook
The government has signalled it will examine legislative options for local-authority by-laws and increased funding for treatment services.
