Results 621-640 of 1,044,068 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Eoin Ó Broin OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Dessie Ellis OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh)

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

Michael McNamara: I do not wish to put words in the witness's mouth but it seems he is attributing the reduction of drug use in Portugal to both the decriminalisation and the increase in funding of harm reduction programmes. Is that correct?

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

Michael McNamara: How can we attribute the reduction of drug use to one over the other? Is there an argument to be made that the most important thing is to fund harm reduction productions and that decriminalisation is very much a secondary element that did not have much of an impact in the reduction? When the funding of the harm reduction programmes is reduced, drug use seems to increase.

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

Michael McNamara: Police officers in Ireland are largely prohibited from expressing political views so Mr. Leitão da Silva may not be able to answer this question, but in response to that increase in drug use, are there increased calls from within the police force for recriminalisation or is that not even being contemplated?

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,...