Government to defer decriminalising cannabis bill for nine months
Picture: Dublin Chaney/collins Profit Photos Kenny Bring Gareth Forward On Before Mid Wednesday West People Td Gino Bill A Will For
The Government is to defer a bill which would see cannabis decriminalised for personal use for nine months.
People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid-West Gino Kenny will bring forward a bill on Wednesday which would allow a person to possess up to 7g of cannabis herb, or 2.5g of cannabis resin. However, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on Tuesday got Cabinet commitment for a nine-month timed amendment to be put on the bill in Wednesday night's votes.
On Monday, Mr Kenny described the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation) Bill 2022 as a “stress test” for the Government on whether it is serious about decriminalisation.
A Government spokesperson said that ministers were keen to consider the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Drugs, issued last week, adding that Mr Kenny's bill comes too early.
"It is the view of Minister Donnelly and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton that the Private Members’ Bill is pre-emptive and should be deferred for a period of nine months.
"This would allow time to establish a special Oireachtas committee to consider the recommendation of the Citizens Assembly for a comprehensive health-led approach, and to advise the most appropriate next steps."
Cabinet was also told that the Department of Housing will carry over €141m into 2024 for spending on capital projects, having spent €3.677bn in 2023. The overall spend was the largest in the history of the department.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee also briefed Government on the process to nominate a new President of the Court of Appeal, to fill the vacancy which will arise when Judge George Birmingham retires in August. The approach will mirror the one used for the appointments of Chief Justice in 2017 and 2021, President of the Court of Appeal in 2018, and the President of the High Court in 2020 and 2022.
It will see a non-statutory advisory committee comprising the Chief Justice, the Attorney General and a lay member, will be established to assist with identifying eligible and qualified people, including from among serving judges and will make a recommendation to the Minister.
Ms McEntee also received Cabinet approval to commence negotiations between the EU and three non-EU countries on the sharing of Passenger Name Record data. There are currently three international PNR agreements in force between the EU and third countries: Australia, the US and the UK with negotiations now set to get underway with Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
Cabinet also agreed to extend the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme which was introduced in 2022 to address liquidity shortages faced by businesses affected by the war in Ukraine, and to provide aid for energy-intensive businesses that were impacted by severe increases in energy prices.