Date for Citizens Assembly on Ireland’s drug policy is expected to be set today

Hildegarde Naughton minister with responsibility for the national drug strategy is expected to announce a date for the citizens assembly later today

The Cabinet meets in Dublin this morning where it is expected ministers will approve a new Citizens' Assembly on Irelands drug policy.

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton will seek Cabinet approval for the establishment of a new Citizens' Assembly on drug use.

If approved, the work could commence as early as April.

This could be the final push needed to see Ireland’s outdated drug policy final changed with criminalisation people caught with drugs for personal use as a method of deterring drug use finally ended.

The citizens assembly was instrumental to other progressive changes which took place in Ireland such as same sex marriage or repealing the 8th amendment.

Campaigners in Ireland have been calling for the establishment of this citizens assembly on drug use since it was announced in the programme for government.