Fianna Fáil vows to decriminalise possession of cannabis for personal use
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Possession of cannabis for personal use will be decriminalised under a Fianna Fáil election pledge, which emphasises a switch towards educational treatment programmes.
The party’s manifesto promises to “decriminalise drug possession for personal use” as part of a “health-led response to addiction”, but it was immediately met with criticism from Fine Gael for not clearly distinguishing which drugs would be covered by the new approach.
A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil responded to the criticism by emphasising that the party is not proposing to decriminalise cocaine or heroin, and is following other countries, such as Malta, Spain, and Portugal, in easing legal restrictions on the personal use of cannabis.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál 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.
Launching the 195-page manifesto, which also includes promises to keep Vat on gas and electricity bills at 9% over the next five years and to increase core welfare rates by at least €144 over the lifetime of the next government, Mr Martin said implementing a health- and education-based approach to cannabis use would require increased resources.
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The approach follows a recommendation from the Oireachtas committee on drugs use, which has already recommended a limited form of cannabis legalisation.
Sinn Féin, meanwhile, has promised to introduce a mini-budget within the first 100 days of the next government to abolish universal social charge (USC) for anyone earning €45,000 or less.
The party added that it will give back an estimated €1,100 to people each year.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “Our tax package, at the heart of it, is this measure designed to give relief to every single worker on the first €45,000 of their income but particularly for middle- and lower-income workers. This is a real win for them.”
Separately, the Taoiseach has denied there was a conflict of interest in Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary’s appearance at a Fine Gael campaign launch, endorsing Enterprise Minister Peter Burke.
Simon Harris said he was “annoyed” at Mr O’Leary’s derogatory comments about teachers at the event, which he described as “crass”, but added: “We live in a democracy. People are entitled to come out and espouse their political views in a democracy.
“I’m quite sure farmers are present at launches, and teachers are present at launches. His views don’t reflect my position or the position of my party at all.”
However, opposition parties have questioned the influence Mr O’Leary has on Fine Gael.
Last June, Mr O’Leary told an Oireachtas committee that Ireland should have a minister for infrastructure. Weeks later, Mr Harris told an audience in Donegal that the establishment of a Department of Infrastructure was his priority.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said Mr Harris should clarify his party’s relationship with Mr O’Leary. “The idea that Michael O’Leary makes the call and it becomes policy needs to be clarified in light of what we’ve seen in recent days.”
Labour TD Duncan Smith also questioned whether the Ryanair boss “has a hotline” to policy-making within the Government.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said that, given “the fact that we know the close ties Mr O’Leary has with Fine Gael, I think it’s really important to clarify who is pulling the strings”.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said that the two men had never met and that the plan was, in fact, drawn up by the Taoiseach’s economics adviser, Stephen Kinsella.
“He has never taken policy initiatives from Michael O’Leary,” a spokesperson said.