Results 381-400 of 1,020,596 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' speaker:Sorca Clarke

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Ivana Bacik: I again raise the plight of thalidomide survivors. They have been waiting more than 60 years for justice and have become desperately frustrated. They are urgently seeking a Government commitment to re-engaging with them to achieve a resolution to seek a State apology and a compensation package, a fair deal. I have been raising this consistently for some time. The Minister met Finola...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The targets themselves do not build homes and the Deputy knows that. We are continuing to deliver homes at a scale we have not seen in more than 15 years. Not everybody is feeling that yet. It is a significant challenge. I meet people across this country, in my own constituency and everywhere else, who are getting the keys to their forever homes at a rate we have not seen for 15 years....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Ivana Bacik: It is a drop in the ocean.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: We need to do more. I will answer the question about the Planning and Development Bill. It is really important legislation. It needs to pass by this summer. I am open to amendments, and we debated this on Committee Stage. I will be looking at further amendments on Report Stage.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Verona Murphy: In recent years there has been a significant rise in cocaine consumption, with current reports from gardaí and drugs councillors stating that drugs are available in every rural village and town in Ireland. The cliché of cocaine as the drug of choice for the wealthy, young elite is long out of date. It has evolved in recent years and is now being used regularly by all classes...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. I first want to address the issue of drugs and antisocial behaviour. I come to that with some degree of knowledge. Up to recently, I chaired for ten years the regional drugs and alcohol taskforce in north County Dublin. I have seen at first hand the damage illegal and illicit drugs, and indeed legal drugs like alcohol, can do to our young...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

(Interruptions).

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Sorry?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Róisín Shortall: I said the Minister is commentating. He is in government.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Deputy Shortall is not asking the question.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Deputy want to sit in the Chair? I am trying to answer Deputy Murphy if that is okay. It is a serious issue and a serious point. Deputy Shortall should know that as a former junior Minister at the Department of Health. I say to Deputy Murphy that it is not just a commentary. We need to do more in that space. That is why we are recruiting more gardaí. We have to ensure...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Verona Murphy: The reality is that prevention is always better than cure. In August 2023 it was announced that we would remove the drug squads and community policing. That was very serious. It is a pity the Minister did not make the statement he made a minute ago back then. We do not have a reinstated community policing unit in Wexford. However, I can read out millions of euro worth of drug seizures in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Time is up.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Verona Murphy: This is really important. There are 80% fewer drug searches done because An Garda Síochána has to fill in 24 points of information.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Please, Deputy. Time is up.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Verona Murphy: The policing is not working. The Policing Authority needs restructuring.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I take this matter extremely seriously. All of us, as TDs and representatives in our areas, see the damage that drugs can do and are doing. The Deputy has referenced specific points about Wexford with regard to policing resources. I have given examples of where those community policing teams are back in place. With regard to resourcing our Naval Service, the Deputy knows the Government is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Verona Murphy: Have a look at the-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Deputy, please.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: On customs, the Deputy has mentioned drug seizures. All across our State agencies they carry out really important work. Will we stop every single drug shipment coming into the country? No country can do that either. Do we need to improve and increase our capacity to protect our coastline? Yes, and that is what we are doing. That is why we are embarking on the most significant...