Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 21, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following:

“(iv) drug or alcohol use.”.

I welcome the Minister. Amendment No. 2 seeks to insert, in page 21, between lines 25 and 25, the phrase "drug or alcohol use". It is a simple amendment which seeks to add drug and alcohol use to the definition of what constitutes vulnerability in the context of the Bill. Section 9 provides that one of functions of An Garda Síochána is to prevent "harm to individuals, in particular individuals who are vulnerable or at risk". I welcome this provision, but I think we have an opportunity, through this amendment, to expand on how we conceptualise and understand vulnerability for the purposes of the Bill. We often underestimate the impact of drug and alcohol use, particularly use sustained over an extended period, on an individual's capacity to keep themselves safe. People in addiction are too often vilified, stigmatised and criminalised because of their addiction, to such an extent that many people in addiction do not seek support or intervention. We need to end the stigmatisation, enchaining and othering of people in addiction, and start asking what we can do to help. While this amendment would not decriminalise the drug user in any sense, it would have a positive impact in terms of framing our understanding of, and empathy for, people who use and abuse drugs or alcohol. If we are serious about pursuing a health and harm reduction-led approach to drug use, this seems like a sensible next step.

Amendment No. 3 seeks to insert the phrase "advanced age and social isolation" into the section. Like the amendment relating to the vulnerability imposed by drug or alcohol use, this amendment seeks to include advanced age, coupled with social isolation, within the definition of what constitutes vulnerability for the purposes of the Bill. The definition as drafted does not include a reference to disorders of the mind, like dementia. My fear is that this does not capture older persons who do not necessarily have a dementia diagnosis, but whose ability to keep themselves safe might be impaired by their advanced age or social isolation.

Again, this amendment speaks to the need to for us to expand our understanding of vulnerability and the impact that aging and becoming more socially isolated can have on people in our communities. I am sure we have all heard stories about loved ones, neighbours or members of our communities having been taken advantage of on account of their advancing age, particularly if they live alone and in circumstances where they may have no other supports to link in with. I should add that this is not to make the assertion that advancing in age somehow makes people vulnerable. That is why I coupled it with social isolation. There is a particular type of elder abuse that can happen within communities that exposes this group to a particular vulnerability. I think the Bill would be enhanced by including the amendments in this section.

I have one final point. We were reminded of the benefit of positive and proactive community policing during the pandemic. It is what drew my attention to the vulnerability of some older people. We saw how many vulnerable older people there were in our communities when they came together during Covid-19 to reach some of them. We all have a responsibility in promoting community safety, but the gardaí have a specific role and particular influence within this.