Results 561-580 of 1,039,838 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:David Stanton OR speaker:Johnny Mythen OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Malcolm Noonan)

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)

David Stanton: The Chair might tell me when my ten minutes are up, as I do not have access to a clock. I welcome our two guests and thank them very much for their thought-provoking and sincere presentations. Dr. Ó Concubhair mentioned the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which mandates signatory states to pursue a criminal justice-led response on drug use and drug markets. I...

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

David Stanton: I thank Dr. Ó Conchubhair. As I said earlier to our previous guest, one of the issues about which we learnt earlier this week was that when the use of drugs was decriminalised in British Columbia and Vancouver, and also in parts of the United States, it seemed to initially go too far in that it permitted people to use drugs publicly on the streets straight away, which led to a backlash...

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...

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

Michael McNamara: I thank Dr. Ó Concubhair. In Mr. Glynn's opening statement, he said he has seen at first hand how police powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act are used, abused and misused by police officers. It is important to point out that he is talking, I presume, in a UK context and in reference to the UK legislation. Will he elaborate on what he called the use, abuse and misuse by police officers...

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

Michael McNamara: I noticed Dr. Ó Concubhair nodding in agreement throughout some of what Mr. Glynn said, in particular around the overuse or misuse of search powers. Does he agree there is an overuse in the United Kingdom or does he think there is an overuse of similar powers here?

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

Michael McNamara: I was going to ask about that.

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

Michael McNamara: It is important to say the Garda Commissioner will be at the committee. In a way, it is unfortunate there will be a gap in committee meetings but the timing of the committee is as it is and we have to move forward. I hope those points will be put to the Garda Commissioner but it will not be by me.

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

Michael McNamara: Did Deputy Kenny want to come back in?

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

Michael McNamara: Conversely, the legalisation and regulation of alcohol in Ireland did not necessarily prevent the sale of illicit alcohol. I do not know what the story is in Dublin, but in Clare you will still see bottles of poitín on occasion. Has anybody ever studied the factors that led to a reduction in the production and sale of illicit alcohol in tandem with the sale of lawful, regulated,...

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

Michael McNamara: I thank Dr. Ó Concubhair and Mr. Glynn very much for staying with us this morning and for the information they have imparted to us. It has certainly been very interesting and useful. Today is my last day as Chair of this committee. I wish to put on the record formally that I hope some of the observations made on An Garda Síochána might be put to it as a matter of fairness...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (11 Jul 2024)

Maurice Quinlivan: I thank the Minister of State. Regarding offshore energy, many companies and people are making great strides already in this field. I commend Shannon-Foynes Port for the work it has done to date and for its Vision 2041 strategy that laid out in detail many of the challenges and potential available from offshore energy, especially in the mid-west region. The port is in proximity to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (11 Jul 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge his work, the work of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and its report on this space in 2023. We are focused on this. Our Department is working through our regional enterprise committees right across the country to identify the opportunities, and especially looking at ports to identify the infrastructure we need. It is vital we are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (11 Jul 2024)

Maurice Quinlivan: I thank the Minister of State. As I have said before, the development of offshore wind energy can be our generation's Ardnacrusha moment. We either act now or fall behind our competitors, which are basically Scotland, Germany and other countries. We can harness this energy and export the excess Ireland does not need or we can import it from abroad. That is the choice we are facing. It is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (11 Jul 2024)

Dara Calleary: We are very well progressed. We are putting the foundation stones in place. We will ensure that when the technology is available to us to maximise the offshore advantages, especially off our Atlantic coast, we will be in a position to maximise it. Our Department is investing considerably in the supply chains issue. We had an excellent event with the Scottish Government recently and our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Low Pay (11 Jul 2024)

Low Pay