Results 461-480 of 6,508 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have just been sent an email from Scoil Bhríde Shelagh, which is in north Louth. It states its main worry is that while it has had an additional school accommodation application submitted to the planning and building unit of the Department of Education since October 2023, this was put on hold after the sanctioning of its two autism classes because the Department had pulled the...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: As has been said by a number of my colleagues, we welcome that this legislation is going through the Houses. We have, however, particular issues. We all know there are deficiencies, whether we are talking about the community or residential settings. We all accept that there is a need for regulation of CAMHS. The big worry is the timeline for this. My colleagues have outlined our...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: There is a considerable amount in this Bill with which we will all agree. A lot of us will look for balance and something that works from a point of view of people have a right to maintain their good name, ensuring that we allow for freedom of speech and do not inhibit responsible journalism. We know that is an absolutely necessary part of the democratic process. An awful lot of this is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 62. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the outcome of the review carried out into the housing adaptation grants scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Can we get an update on the housing adaptation grant and the review that was carried out? We have been waiting for this for a long time and Deputies have been contacted by families that include older people and those with disabilities who have huge mobility issues-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is a matter of a timeline and we all know the issue. Even when people get the grant - in Louth County Council it is upwards of €30,000 - it might not cover what it takes to keep somebody in their home and do the works that are necessary. I am dealing with a daughter who is very worried about her mother. It is not only the backlog and how long Louth County Council will take, it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyberbullying Issues (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We all welcome the creation of Coimisiún na Meán and the necessity of an online safety code. We all want the Digital Services and Digital Marketing Acts in operation. We know that not only individual states like ourselves have to take action; we also need to see the European Commission take action. Let us be clear. Whether we are talking about X, Meta or TikTok, as Deputy...

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe. They have been straightforward in talking about the decriminalisation of the drug user. However, none of this makes any difference without a proper framework and resources in place. We all know that the resources do not exist, regardless of whether that is politicians anecdotally saying it in relation to issues we are dealing with. We are trying...

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: You have already said it. What is a framework that works and that we can put in play now? I do not expect the witnesses to deal with the fact that there is a wider issue that involves nearly every service and Department. We are not looking at this in any way shape or form. We are not in any way serious about dealing with drugs.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I spoke to somebody who was a heroin and crack addict at one stage and who was able to turn it around. They said they were not able to get treatment in Ireland because at the time they could only get methadone. Basically, they went abroad and were able to deal with their problem. There is a drug that they spoke about. I am going to pronounce it wrong. Is it Subutex or something?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: This would have been prior to that.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Even a few years ago, before the Taliban decided how to deal with heroin, a local dealer told somebody after they had lost their partner, "Don't worry about the cost or whatever. I don't have a whole pile of heroin at the minute but I've plenty of crack." This is my last question. Have the witnesses come across and increase in the use of fentanyl recently?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I believe that is filling the gap.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I may not have been clear earlier with regard to decriminalisation. I am not saying that you do not enter into something unless you have a spectacular, utterly perfect framework. If we wait for that, we will never do anything. I accept that everything we have done to date has not dealt with this situation. Mr. Murray, among others, spoke about the need to introduce that framework in...

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The number is related to this but people have come to me in the last while about the kids.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is a separate question.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Has Dr. Kenny seen an increase in kids doing this in the last while?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have seen it. I suppose it is about looking at a means of dealing with it.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We are now dealing with far more intergenerational addiction and I know that anyone involved in youth services would say that where once a child could go to their grandmother, they cannot necessarily do that now. That is an awful thing to say. That means greater levels of supports are necessary to help people when they find themselves in these circumstances. We know that we do not have...

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation of Drugs: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Again, it is about the need for that framework. What we need now is a hell of a lot more complex than what we needed ten years ago and we obviously do not have it.