Results 621-640 of 5,655 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: 253. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications made under the first-home scheme by tenants with a notice to quit; and the number approved. [27828/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electricity Supply Board (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: 255. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware that electricity reconnections are causing delays in the return to use of vacant council-owned homes. [27869/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Gould: 298. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if drones are being considered for An Garda Síochána. [27825/24]

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

Thomas Gould: I thank the witnesses for their presentations, which are much appreciated. I will address my questions to Ms Lawlor first. She studied at UCC. As a Corkman, that is a good starting point. In her submission she stated, "Ireland's own Garda diversion scheme provides some insight into the benefits of diverting young people away from criminal systems, with a vast majority of adolescents who...

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

Thomas Gould: My next question is for Ms Eastwood. I found her research on racial discrimination in policing particularly harrowing. I had a look at the headline figures and findings. I saw a discussion on the issue of stop and search beforehand and the awful, unconscious bias that impacts this issue. To see it laid out in numbers and statistics was stark. What are the solutions to this issue? What...

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?

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]

Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (26 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: Do not be calling out from the backbenches. Stand up and be counted.

Pre-European Council: Statements (26 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: For the past four and a half years, I have come to the Chamber and submitted questions regarding empty council houses. A reference to the European decision to move to a preventative maintenance programme has always been included in the responses. In the past four years, I have never seen a plan by Cork City Council, Cork County Council or the Government for preventative maintenance. Will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (26 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: 12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to Cork City Council for the resurfacing and repaving of the John F. Connolly road. [27404/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (26 Jun 2024)

Thomas Gould: 21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of people currently awaiting a driving test in each of the Cork centres; and the average wait time in each, in tabular form. [27397/24]