The assembly on drug use will likely happen at the end of the year.
The government is facing backlash over the delay in holding a Citizens Assembly on drug use.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed this week it would take place in the latter part of this year.
Dublin Senator Lynn Ruane is one of those who thinks the matter is more urgent.
Today @SenLynnRuane spoke on the urgency of convening a Citizens' Assembly on drugs.
"Every day this year, somebody will die of an overdose.
Every. Single. Day.
Those deaths do not impact this chamber in the same way that they will impact our communities". pic.twitter.com/OtY5xjKK84— Seanad CEG (@SeanadCEG) February 9, 2022
She says it's important the assembly on drug use takes place sooner rather than later.
"There's thousands of people's lives that are being impacted every single day by drug use," she said.
"It's not just about criminalisation, it's also about access to services, dual diagnosis."
"There's so many different policy issues that need to be discussed," she added.
