Results 61-80 of 1,343 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the increased provision of funding in budget 2025 for housing. The substantial funding that has already been applied by the Government of in excess of €5 billion a year will be increased to more than €6 billion in 2025. The public funds will go to delivering thousands more affordable homes. An additional €1.25 billion has been allocated to the Land...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank everyone for being here. Apologies for my late arrival. I was in the Seanad. I wish I could have been here earlier. I thank the witnesses for their opening statements and all the work that they and the organisations they represent do. I heard some of the witnesses' earlier contributions. I was listening before I went to the Seanad. The witnesses were talking about stigma. It...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I would be interested to hear Ms Kearney's perspective because the female experience is important and is a large determinant for children being born into addiction. If, as a society, we are to make young women believe and have value in themselves, identifying young women who are at risk, before they ever become a mother, is very important.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Who would do that, however? Who would regulate and dispense it?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am really struck by what Ms Kearney has said. It is so true that the strength and resilience of anybody who has achieved recovery is so much beyond any of us who have not been tested in that way and this is generally not recognised. Those who work closely with or support people in recovery do recognise it. This is a huge opportunity for us as a society to recognise, celebrate and...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Sorry, I laughed there and maybe I should not have, if it is a serious suggestion.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I agree. When someone is diverted from their GP, it is immediately signalling that the person does not belong in the waiting room.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Deputy Wynne has not had a chance to contribute.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I rise today in anger and frustration. I am sure every Member of the House feels the same about the ongoing saga of the spending of taxpayers' money on infrastructure associated with this complex. I am talking about the bike shelter and "security pavilion", as it is being described. It would be laughable if it were not so serious. I am furious and livid over this. I am dealing with...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (26 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the witnesses for their contributions, which have been very useful, and for their time and the work they do daily. I might begin with the opening statement from the Irish Prison Service. It is really stark that over 70% of those in custody are struggling with addiction. That is heartbreaking when one thinks of the young lives that are being destroyed and how people exit education at...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (26 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Absolutely.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (26 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: That is great. I completely support the approach being taken. I thought I heard the director general said that there are 600 prisoners in therapy and 800 prisoners waiting for therapy. Did I hear that correctly?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (26 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Yes.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (26 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Yes. I want to hear from Ms Hume but I want to first ask a question. I cannot remember whether a witness said it at a previous meeting or whether it was as part of the citizens' assembly report, but I was really struck by the statistic that a large proportion of people entering the prison service with an addiction exit before they have an opportunity to avail of treatment or supports. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Arrangements to Protect Democracy and Ballot Integrity: Discussion (24 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We will not ask them for the outcome of it either. I thank the witnesses for being here. This is important subject matter, so we appreciate their time and the work they all do to ensure our democracy functions to its best capacity. I will raise three areas of particular interest in my first round that I would like to explore with them. One is the register integrity, the second is voter...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Arrangements to Protect Democracy and Ballot Integrity: Discussion (24 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We will get that report in the fourth quarter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Arrangements to Protect Democracy and Ballot Integrity: Discussion (24 Sep 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Is that for the day?

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

Mary Fitzpatrick: Go raibh maith agat. I thank everyone for attending, for the opening statements and, most importantly, for the work they and the members of their organisations do every day. They truly are the front line of healthcare in our country and provide incredibly valuable services. My dad was a GP and I grew up in a family practice, so I understand exactly what is involved. Pharmacies also...

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

Mary Fitzpatrick: Both groups are saying that they are not in favour of legalisation of any substance but the decriminalisation of the individual. In Dr. Crowley's contribution, he said that the response the individual receives when he or she seeks help is so important. It is a question of the initial reaction, let us say, from the care provider or the potential care provider, and being honest with one's...

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

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank Dr. Crowley. Turning to their request to us that there would be a comprehensive framework - I appreciate there is only 50 seconds left in this round but maybe they can think about it and respond in further rounds - will they give us the headlines of what that comprehensive framework needs to include?