Local authority bye-laws could be used to curtail public drug use, committee hears

However, concerns were expressed as to whether this would be enforced given the level of public drinking in spite of bye-laws

Senator Mary Fitzpatrick of Fianna Fáil said people are 'sick of smelling weed in parks, on the canal or on the street' and that this issue should be taken seriously. File picture: Getty

Public concerns around decriminalising the possession of drugs could be alleviated by introducing local authority bye-laws banning the consumption of drugs in a public place, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

The Oireachtas Committee on Drugs was told that local authorities could extend the current bye-law on public drinking to drugs and that gardaí could enforce the laws as they currently do with alcohol.