An Garda Síochána Strategy Statement 2022—2024 was published on 9 June 2022.1 The mission of An Garda Síochána (AGS) for the duration of the strategy is simply ‘Keeping people safe’ (p. 6). While the strategy is set against the backdrop of living in a post-pandemic world, with global political and economic uncertainty, AGS is committed to evolving and meeting policing demands that are continually changing. The five pillars that the strategy focuses on are:

•    Community
•    Tackling crime and preventative policing
•    Victims and the vulnerable
•    Protecting the security of the Irish State
•    Sustainable change and innovation.

A new Programme for Government was agreed in January 2025 by the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties, and a group of Independent TDs.1 While lacking in much detail, it indicates an ongoing commitment to the health-led strategic direction of the current national drugs strategy. The Government commits to:

• Assess the outcomes of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017–2025, and publish a successor strategy. No date is given for when this strategy will be published.
• Divert those found in possession of drugs for personal use to health services. This reflects an ongoing commitment to implement the Health Diversion Approach, which was originally announced by the government of the day in 2019.

The Joint Committee on Drugs Use was established by the Government to consider the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use and to make a reasoned response to each of its 36 recommendations.1 On 22 October 2024, the Committee published its Interim Report.2 

Context

The Committee included members from across the spectrum of political parties (not just Government parties).3 The Joint Committee on Drugs Use Interim Report is based on the Committee’s seven meetings held between June and September 2024.