Results 1-20 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Deputies Elected as MEPs: Statements (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: It is a bit like being invited to speak at your own funeral here today. Usually, we talk about political careers after people have passed away. I am conscious I did manage to be late for this, which is possibly something I had never thought I could achieve, alive or dead. I thank the people of Clare for electing me to this House. I think everybody in this Chamber would say it is a unique...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I wish to return to an issue which we have previously discussed. I refer to the oversight of the international protection accommodation services, IPAS, spending on direct-provision accommodation. Last week, I asked the Minister responsible how many inspections had been carried out by the compliance team or by independent inspection companies in the first half of 2024. Within three days I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: So would I, or politicians either. I might even be counting the days.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: Will the answer be factual or creative?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: So do I.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I thank Mr. Leitão da Silva. He acknowledged earlier there was an increase in drug use in Portugal. Obviously, causation and correlation are two very different things, but to what would he attribute this recent increase in drug use?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I do not wish to put words in the witness's mouth but it seems he is attributing the reduction of drug use in Portugal to both the decriminalisation and the increase in funding of harm reduction programmes. Is that correct?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: How can we attribute the reduction of drug use to one over the other? Is there an argument to be made that the most important thing is to fund harm reduction productions and that decriminalisation is very much a secondary element that did not have much of an impact in the reduction? When the funding of the harm reduction programmes is reduced, drug use seems to increase.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: Police officers in Ireland are largely prohibited from expressing political views so Mr. Leitão da Silva may not be able to answer this question, but in response to that increase in drug use, are there increased calls from within the police force for recriminalisation or is that not even being contemplated?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: Mr. Leitão da Silva said drug users are a useful source of information. Is it any easier or harder to avail of or get that information because of decriminalisation? Does it have any impact?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: Thank you, commander. I am aware you have to go at 10.30 a.m., or 11.30 a.m. your time, so I will ask if you can just give three minutes to Deputy Kenny.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: Has the recent increase in drug use in Portugal been any greater or lesser than in northern Spain or can they be compared? Is current drug use greater or lesser?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: Thank you, commander, for the time you have given to us. I appreciate that you have to go now. We extend our thanks to you.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I now invite Dr. Cian Ó Concubhair to give his opening statement . I thank Dr. Ó Concubhair for sitting through the committee. We had decided it was the best use of time.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I now invite Mr. Glynn to make his opening statement.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I thank Senator Ruane.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I thank Dr. Ó Concubhair. If we are to bring in Mr. Glynn I want to give him a bit of time.

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: I thank Mr. Glynn. Does Deputy Kenny wish to come in?

Committee on Drugs Use: Decriminalisation, Depenalisation, Diversion and Legalisation: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Jul 2024)

Michael McNamara: The Garda Commissioner has been invited to attend a meeting of the committee. He, or somebody nominated by him, will do so in September. The Deputy will have the opportunity to put the points he has made today to the Garda Síochána representatives, as well as Dr. Ó Concubhair's characterisation of the Garda's approach to the citizens' assembly. Those points should be put to...