Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I am sorry I cannot be present at the committee meeting in person today. My signal was not great today so I was only picking up on some of the conversation. It has been a privilege to be presenting here today with such phenomenal organisations which do brilliant work. It is absolutely vital there is appropriate funding and policy support for all of these organisations that are doing great work. It is about connecting the dots, doing that interagency work and all of us working together because we all have the same aim. We are all working for the same thing. It is just about getting that awareness out there around the impact on the family. The recognition of the importance of family support is vital as part of a comprehensive public health approach in Ireland. Doing this work will reduce the long-term human and societal costs in general going forward. Through us all working together, we can break the impact and legacy of addiction. It will strengthen the fabric of families across all communities.

We need that national body. We need a body like FARI that could represent and be the umbrella group and voice for families that are impacted by problematic alcohol or drug misuse. That is really important. I pay credit to all the amazing work that is happening here today. It really is a privilege to have been here alongside all the witnesses. I thank the Cathaoirleach and the committee for their time. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.