Results 561-580 of 1,038,729 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Frank Feighan OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Michael Ring OR speaker:Cian O'Callaghan) in 'Committee meetings'

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

Michael McNamara: Mr. Leitão da Silva said drug users are a useful source of information. Is it any easier or harder to avail of or get that information because of decriminalisation? Does it have any impact?

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

Michael McNamara: Thank you, commander. I am aware you have to go at 10.30 a.m., or 11.30 a.m. your time, so I will ask if you can just give three minutes to Deputy Kenny.

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

Michael McNamara: Has the recent increase in drug use in Portugal been any greater or lesser than in northern Spain or can they be compared? Is current drug use greater or lesser?

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

Michael McNamara: Thank you, commander, for the time you have given to us. I appreciate that you have to go now. We extend our thanks to you.

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

Michael McNamara: I now invite Dr. Cian Ó Concubhair to give his opening statement . I thank Dr. Ó Concubhair for sitting through the committee. We had decided it was the best use of time.

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)

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...