Mary Fitzpatrick

But there's real fears, though,

And the committee called that out, actually.

We called it out in our report because we share that concern.

I mean, I live in Dublin City.

I don't think I pass a day through the city that I don't see young people's lives being destroyed through being engaged in drug dealing, drug use, drug distribution.

It's heartbreaking, it's alarming and it's unacceptable.

That would be, as I say, disastrous.

That just wouldn't work.

And I don't think any responsible, reasonable government would oversee such a move.

It just would defy any logic or reasonable behaviour.

I absolutely believe that in calling for a comprehensive health-led response to our drugs and addiction problem,

what we're saying is that we're putting the priority on health, on public health.

We're saying we have to address it as a health issue ever before the criminal issues are... And it is absolutely about...

Like, being clear, drug users are separate to drug dealers, drug distributors, drug sellers.

It is about pursuing drug dealers, drug sellers, drug traders, you know, aggressively and prosecuting them from a criminal justice perspective.

But people who are in the throes of addiction, criminalising them,

only adds to the damage.