At a press-conference held at Trinity on March 6 2019, Senator Fintan Warfield of Sinn Féin said that he expects his party to argue for decriminalisation of cannabis at the next general election.

The Senator, who was elected in April 2016 and is the youngest member of the Oireachtas at 26 years-old, has also admitted that whilst decriminalisation of cannabis “doesn’t solve a lot of the problems”, a “harm reduction approach” would be the most effective way of ensuring young people are not introduced to the criminal system.

Warfield, who has been a highly active member in the campaign for equality for the LGBT+ community, spoke of calling for the government to act more on the rights for trans people in the same address.

During the conference, Senator Warfield was also asked to clarify his views on the Israel/ Palestine conflict after his tweet supporting the boycott of Eurovision 2019. He stated that Ireland’s policy of neutrality “doesn’t exclude us from the UN.”

Further in the same widespread address the senator, who in his previous mayoral role prioritised homelessness, marriage equality and youth unemployment, also discussed the issues of the current housing crisis.

Senator Warfield seems to be continuing his positive influence and activism, working with, donating to and speaking out for groups supporting young people, LGBT+ people and artists. He previously cut his mayoral salary by 10%, then subsequently donated €1000 each to BeLonG To, Saoirse Women’s Refuge and Citywise.

See Senator Warfield’s contribution to GCN’s Opinions segment here, where he talks about same-sex parenting and how “the state failed to finish the job” to protect the status of same-sex families and give them truly equal rights; he states “Those that rely on methods of conception that were outside of clinical insemination such as surrogacy or through private methods will have to wait for rights in the Assisted Human Reproduction bill, which is also moving slowly.”

We look forward to the Senators continued positive influence within the government, and hope for the continuation of progressive thinking within Irish politics.