A newly appointed junior justice minister wants to decriminalise illegal drugs in new plans to tackle gangland crime.
Minister of State for Equality, Migration and Integration David Stanton also wants to have his party colleagues recognise the Travelling community as a distinct ethnic minority group.
Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Stanton said Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is supportive of his proposals.
He believes that Ireland should follow Portugal's lead when it comes to the legal system and possession of drugs.
In Portugal, those caught with small amounts of drugs including cocaine and heroin are not prosecuted.
Instead, the police have the discretion to send drug users for counselling or education on drugs.
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