Results 5,021-5,040 of 5,964 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Yes.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I thank the witnesses again. This has been a long session and listening to the witnesses has been enlightening. I have picked up a lot from their contributions and I thank them for that. To follow on from Deputy Ward, some of the communities that we represent have been destroyed by drugs. There is a fear factor among those communities around decriminalisation or legalisation. The...

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Following on from that, Professor Stevens said earlier that reducing penalties for drug possession does not necessarily lead to an increase in use. It is, therefore, a net positive as it reduces the harm and cost of criminalisation while not increasing the harm of drug use. Many of the points the professor has made today have been led by research. Is that right?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I thank Professor Stevens. In her opening statement, Ms Eastwood stated, "Many governments wrongly believe that decriminalising drug possession will lead to an increase in prevalence. This is not the case." That is following on from what Professor Stevens just said. Is that correct?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: My final question is for Ms Lawlor. In her submission, she stated: "The impact of criminal records on children and young people is devastating, resulting in stigma and discrimination, diminished access to education and housing, reduced prospects for future employment, and negative impacts on family relationships." Reading about those impacts is shocking.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I thank Ms Lawlor.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. I looked at Ms Eastwood's paper "A Quiet Revolution" and, in particular, found interesting the findings from Australia on diversion, the reduction in reoffending and the increased employment opportunities that became available through diversion. Will she comment on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: I appreciate that. When the NPWS looks at the Glen Park or Glen Valley Park - the name used depends on where people come from - maybe it could designate it as a special area of conservation. It is in the heart of the glen, with Ballyvolane on one side and part of the northern road that was built on its periphery. An area that is so unique and in the heart of an urban setting should be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: 34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that there are delays in passports due to issues with validating signatures. [27596/24]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: 51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the work to divest from companies involved in the arms trade in Israel. [27597/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: 81. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider establishing a dumping taskforce in Cork city. [27601/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: 102. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to consider a distribution box at a location (details supplied) to extend broadband to the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27600/24]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: €475,000.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: Is it affordable?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: Answer the question.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: We had the RTB before the housing committee today and it was a really informative meeting. There is no doubt there are changes that need to be made to improve services provided by the RTB. However, the current system for students living in digs does not even allow them to bring a case to the RTB. This Bill would allow both homeowners and tenants to access the RTB and it is a vital...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: 65. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has been made aware of any serving Defence Force members with convictions for sexual, gender or domestic-based violence. [28189/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: I have listened to the Tánaiste's comments about questions and I understand the point he is making that he is limited in what he can say because some of these cases are in front of the courts and others are probably being looked at by senior people in the Defence Forces. I understand he is in a particular situation in that regard. I also listened to his comments about trying to change...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Services (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: In the first five months of this year, there was an 87% drop in the number of patients seen in SouthDoc in Blackpool compared with 2019, representing almost 9,000 fewer patients seen in the first six of months of the year. My constituents who use the SouthDoc out-of-hours facility have told me that people are being sent to the Kinsale Road, Youghal or Midleton, but SouthDoc in Blackpool is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Services (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: I said the Minister got the information from the HSE and SouthDoc. What the Minister said was a lie. The Minister might have believed it to be true, but the information he had was incorrect. I want the Dáil record corrected because I am right and the Minister is wrong. He got information from SouthDoc in Blackpool that is a lie. May I say-----