Results 321-340 of 1,044,579 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Máiría Cahill OR speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Gino Kenny OR speaker:Paul McAuliffe OR speaker:Hildegarde Naughton OR speaker:James O'Connor) in 'Committee meetings'

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

Gino Kenny: Thank you, Dr. Cullen. Now it is over to committee members. The first contributor is Senator Seery Kearney.

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

Paul McAuliffe: I also have two other committees at the same time. We learn the skill of bilocation very quickly in this place. I have read some of the opening statements and I am aware of some of the contributions made earlier. I have limited time and I want to hear from the witnesses. In terms of pursuing a change through decriminalisation, depenalisation or legalisation, will the witnesses give...

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

Paul McAuliffe: The question was whether the criminal element, or the element of it being illegal, impairs their recovery.

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

Paul McAuliffe: I am thinking of the two legal drugs we have, namely, methadone and alcohol.

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

Paul McAuliffe: No, but my question is whether the journey to recovery is made easier for methadone and alcohol than it is for illegal drugs, not because of the chemical structure of the substance but because the criminal nature of the substance is not there.

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

Paul McAuliffe: As the previous Chair said here once, you cannot stop people making moral judgements but you can stop making policy based on moral judgements.

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

Paul McAuliffe: That is the beginning of the journey. We need to change that and the criminal sanction is an impairment to recovery. I should say happy recovery month and well done on all the work on that. The other end of the spectrum is full legalisation, allow a commercial model regulate and have a for-profit element as with any other product. I hear what Mr. Mullins says, because there is a fear,...

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

Paul McAuliffe: They are very different, yes.

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

Paul McAuliffe: If I might ask one last question which is difficult to ask of a big group. I think there is consensus on the point that the criminal element has an impact. Is there consensus that legalisation would be the ultimate solution here? It is a big question.

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

Paul McAuliffe: Chairman, to be fair to my colleague, because I asked a big question, maybe I will take the answer from someone in the next round.

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

Paul McAuliffe: Senator Fitzpatrick asked a question that I threw in at the very end too.

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

Gino Kenny: Deputy Wynne wants to come in at the end. Is that correct?

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

Gino Kenny: I thank Dr. Healy. Our next speaker is Deputy Wynne.

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

Gino Kenny: There were a lot of questions. Who wants to take them on in a limited amount of time?

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

Gino Kenny: Does Mr. Mullins wish to come in briefly?

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

Gino Kenny: Mr. Broderick, briefly.

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

Gino Kenny: Now we are onto additional questions. Deputies Gould and Ward have indicated.

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

Gino Kenny: I call Deputy Ward. In the meantime, could Deputy Gould take the Chair for a few minutes?