Fianna Fáil promises to decriminalise drug possession for personal use at manifesto launch
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Fianna Fáil has promised to decriminalise drug possession for personal use as part of a health-led response to addiction.
Launching his party’s manifesto, Micheál Martin has said he believes “another three-party government” will be formed after this month’s election.
But he has "categorically" ruled out going into government with Sinn Féin, stating that Mary Lou McDonald's policy on housing would "crucify" first-time buyers.
Turning to Fianna Fáil's strategy on drugs, Mr Martin said “decriminalisation is an important step” as it reflects the understanding that the most effective way to deal with the issue is not through the justice system.
Mr Martin defended the party’s document, which will ignore the current budget spending rule, which sets a limit of 5% annual growth.
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He said his party would “moderate” the increase in spending to 5.5%.
“We believe that additional spending is justified and necessary.”
He said the infrastructure needs are so great that it is “correct and proper” to continue to break the spending rule so the investment can be made in water, housing, public transport and the national grid.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil would establish a new Department of Domestic Affairs. However, this plan was quickly criticised by Aontú leader Peadar Toibín, who described it as "a classic example of a political party pretending to do something".
"It's a new name, a new brand. It's reminiscent of the Emer Higgins Passport Express campaign. Rebranding will not change the fact that under this government the National Cyber Security Centre, at the time of the cyber attack, had a budget which was less than the amount Micheal Martin's department was spending on PR."
Other proposals in the Fianna Fáil manifesto include a promise to:
- Increase the higher rate of income tax to at least €50,000 and cut the lower rate of USC from 3% to 1.5%.
- Abolish the 3% USC on non-Paye income of more than €100,000 to support self-employed.
- Keep Vat on gas and electricity bills at 9% over the next five years.
- Increase core welfare rates by at least €12 annually.
- Reduce childcare fees to €200 a month.
- Raise the limit of the Small Claims Court from €2,000 to €10,000.
- Legislate for the ‘right to be forgotten’ for cancer survivors, requiring insurers to disregard a cancer diagnosis seven years after treatment has ended.
- Ramp up construction to 60,000 homes a year by 2030, including 10,000 affordable units, and create a €250m Modern Methods Of Construction innovation fund to accelerate building.
- An extra 5,000 Gardaí to be recruited and the rollout of a new transport police division.
- Increase the number of consultants in emergency medicine by a further 50% and open a further 100 ICU beds.