'I am not endorsing drugs' says Aoghán O'Riordán

Minister Aodhán O'Ríordán has said new laws decriminalising drugs would not make them legal.

He wants to change the legislation so people who are caught with drugs for personal use only will not face prosecution.

The idea was recommended by the Oireachtas Justice Committee and is based on a model already in use in Portugal.

The plans also include injection centres where users are medically supervised.

However Aodhán O'Riordán denies that he is endorsing drug use.

“I don’t want to decriminalise certain drugs, what I am talking about is decriminalising the individual,” Mr O’Riordán said.

“The drugs are illegal, will remain illegal, the individual who has a drug habit or drug addiction will be better served with interactions through the Health System as opposed to the Criminal Justice System.”