Results 561-580 of 3,842 for speaker:Mark Ward

Pre-European Council: Statements (26 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: Ireland's recognition of the State of Palestine last month was a welcome development. The recognition of Palestine was important for symbolic reasons. It was the result of decades of campaigning by many groups and individuals right across the State. Despite the Government's misgivings, the sky did not fall in, but the sky is falling in on Palestine right now. Sanctioning Israel has...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (25 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: The Government has sat on its hands when it comes to reform of the Special Criminal Court. It has sat on the review for more than a year. There is no sign of any progress. We need a more modern understanding of the threats to the security of the State that originate from organised criminal gangs. We need action and we need reform. I do not see how laws created in the 1940s can possibly...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh Gníomhach. I thank the witnesses for coming in and giving their opening statements. I read them with great interest before coming in. I have worked in front-line addiction services across Dublin and outside of Dublin for many years. I have worked in HSE facilities and in community-based services. I have worked in HSE and statutory methadone...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: I think Dr. Keenan is misinterpreting me. I said that methadone maintenance has a place in harm reduction - it definitely does - but I emphasised the barriers that people face when they want to come off it at that stage in their lives. Sometimes there might only be a small window of opportunity for a person to be a able to decide this is the right time for them to come off methadone. They...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: I will keep my questions for the Department Justice. I have zero interest in criminalising people for simple possession who are in addiction. I do have an interest in tackling those in organised crime who are making vast amounts of money from other people's misery. Young people, especially in disadvantaged areas in my area, are attracted by the lifestyle, the flash runners, the fancy cars...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: What about a form of lifestyle - being able to go across the water to any soccer match they want or eat in any restaurant they want? They are probably not working or if they are working, they are not in a job where their means match their lifestyle. Does the Department of Justice or An Garda Síochána have the ability to go after these people and ask them how they are funding that...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: It is hard to take back a €100 steak after it has been eaten. That is what I am talking about. It is about the lifestyle.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: A new law was introduced recently concerning the coercion of a minor. Has anybody been convicted of this or have any cases been taken?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: Given the way it is written and laid out in legislation, will it be a useful tool for An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice in going after these people?

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: I have a comment and a question for the Department of Health. I went on the interactive map of addiction services this morning before I came to the meeting. I found it a bit clunky. It is probably still a work in progress, and I am not the best when it comes to IT. There is duplication of some services. I would bring that to the Department's attention. I had a particular look at...

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: I have limited time.

Committee on Drugs Use: Drug Use Policy: HSE, Department of Justice and Department of Health (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: Before it became a dual diagnosis service, Keltoi was also open to other people. For example, if someone was doing a methadone detox in Cuan Dara in Cherry Orchard, there was a door-to-door service whereby they could detox in Cuan Dara and then start their rehabilitation journey in Keltoi. That is the piece of the jigsaw that is missing. People finish their detox and, more than likely,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: 119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a response will be issued from her Department to the submitted main contractor tender report and authorising the design team to issue the letter of acceptance to the contractor for the new school build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26585/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: 120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the design team will receive a response from her Department to the reserved specialist tender report, issued on 26 September 2023, in order to complete the reserved specialist tender process for the new school build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26586/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (18 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: 304. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the CDNT funding grant that an organisation (details supplied) applied for in November 2023; when these grants will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26210/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (18 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: 371. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE is willing to take over the full control of a nursing home (details supplied); what discussions have taken place on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26208/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (18 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: 372. To ask the Minister for Health if there has been communication between his Department and residents of a nursing home (details supplied) about the long-term future of their care; if communication can be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26209/24]

Committee on Drugs Use: Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Discussion (13 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: First, I commend the members of the citizens' assembly, the chairperson and everyone who was involved and gave expertise to the project. It was a worthwhile exercise and the fact we are here today is testament to that. I spoke to Mr. Reid previously about my professional background, which is working in front-line addiction and recovery services across Dublin. I have seen services have to...

Committee on Drugs Use: Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Discussion (13 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: I also want to talk about recommendation 17, which is about the decriminalisation of the possession of drugs for personal use. Speaking to people in the community, family members, and even people in Leinster House, there seems to be fear and confusion about what exactly this is. For example, decriminalisation of personal drug use does not mean that a criminal act carried out to obtain drugs...

Committee on Drugs Use: Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Discussion (13 Jun 2024)

Mark Ward: Basically pushing it back on ourselves is what that is. It is asking us to come up with a definition on that-----