Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support everything Senator Boyhan said in respect of local authorities.I was sitting in my office listening to Senator Ruane. Many people have spoken about her community today. Senator Ruane's community is my community. A person I loved dearly died because of addiction. It is the most horrible death. It is not something you will only find in the poorer areas of society. You will find it in every single corner of society and you will see it destroy families. I have seen it destroy some of the finest people I have known in my life. I know a very well-heeled and very well-off couple whose son was addicted. I spoke to them and they spoke about the pain of cutting him off and forcing him out because they could no longer have him in their home. We are talking about a citizens' assembly for a mayor of Dublin. Come on. For God's sake, let us get real and talk about the real issues that exist in this society. We cannot continue to close our eyes and pretend this is something that only happens over there with the poor people. It is not; it happens everywhere. In every single street, every single household either has somebody or knows somebody who is dogged by the curse of addiction. I do not care what kind of addiction it is. Every one of them is bad, from the clean addiction of gambling down to the worst drug addictions, alcoholism and all of that. There is nothing more painful. With regard to the particular addict I am talking about, I recall getting a call telling me to go to the hospital because this is it and that I should contact the rest of my family. I recall thinking that was it but, instead of passing on, the person in question recovered stronger. I remember having a discussion about invincibility. This person said that nothing would kill them, but it did.

I support Senator Ruane, as does anybody with a heart and a mind. It is not just her community, it is this goddamn country and every country. The scourge of addiction, drug abuse and alcohol abuse is everywhere. Maybe it is time for us to sit down as adults and discuss this. We should not just discuss the nice things, but also some of the bloody horrible things that go on in this world. Perhaps now is the time for it. I commend Senator Ruane. From the day she first came in here, she has fought for those who are unable to fight for themselves. I will support her today and anybody with a heart and a mind will also support her today or at least do her the courtesy of not voting against her amendment.