Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. There have been drug and alcohol task forces in operation for almost 26 years in the communities most badly affected by serious addiction issues. The task force model is based on drawing in people from the community to come up with solutions for the community. Not including them in the list of bodies to be represented on the new community safety partnerships is a real oversight in the legislation. Their record in the communities in which they operate has been really powerful. The key feature of the community safety partnerships must be that they are about the community. The Labour Party supports the concept of the partnerships but we must get their composition right. It would be very disappointing if the voice of drug and alcohol task forces is not included.

The experience in the north-east inner city is relevant. We have a relatively new north-east inner city task force and a drug and alcohol task force. The experience and wealth of knowledge in the drug and alcohol task force must be incorporated into the community safety partnership, not ignored or sidelined, which it seems some, particularly in the Department of Health, are attempting to do at this time. I am very supportive of Senator Ruane's amendment and I ask the Minister to consider accepting it.