Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I take this first opportunity the Social Democrats have had to welcome Deputy Bacik to the House. She is a wonderful and progressive legislator.

It is 25 years since the report on revitalising areas by planning, investment and development, RAPID. The report founded the principles of community-led drug and alcohol task forces. The first of these was in my constituency in the north inner city. Twenty-five years on from the report, it is to my dismay that the north inner city drugs and alcohol task force has been suspended due to governance issues that have not been specified by the HSE or the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan. It is absolutely essential that drugs task forces are community led with independent chairpersons who are nominated and elected by community representatives. I implore the Taoiseach to re-establish the north inner city drugs task force with an independent chair as chosen by the community representatives.

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