Mattie McGrath on drug crisis: rejects more citizens' assemblies
Mattie McGrath spoke on rising drug use and the state's response, arguing that another citizens assembly would be a talking shop and calling instead for dedicated action and resources. He criticised the glamourisation of gangs, gaps in policing and the shortages in counselling and HSE supports.
Main message
McGrath said a citizens assembly is not the solution for every issue and insisted the country needs direct action on drug use and supply. He described the situation with drug use and abuse as "shocking" and warned that gangs are glamourised and are destroying young people and families.
Law enforcement and seizures
He cited seizures when discussing enforcement, saying "as regards the GRD and seizures 34 million worth of drugs were seized in the first nine months of this year 24 million worth and that's on the tip of the iceberg". He referenced O'Connor Street in Dublin and similar problems in his own towns, noting suppliers and gangs manipulate and intimidate ordinary citizens.
Services and HSE capacity
McGrath highlighted shortfalls in local supports and voluntary services, praising groups such as Seesaw in Connell and Tipperary town and private counselling where available. He warned that HSE positions remain vacant across South Tipperary and that vital personnel to help families are not in place.
Judicial system and court concerns
He argued the judicial system has not kept pace with the scale of the problem, describing it as "way behind" and likening outcomes to a revolving door where offenders return to the streets on continued bail and free legal aid. He said courts and sentencing practices need to be addressed alongside supports.
Call for resourcing and practical action
McGrath urged the government to back agencies with resources rather than rely on more discussions or legislation alone. He praised individual deputies for their efforts, noted the minister had been launching strategy events, and stressed that without staffing and supports legislation will not help those slipping into addiction.
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Today I'm not sure really set up a citizens assembly seems to be a fanciful thing now to do for every issue I don't believe we are there's plenty evidence and sadly the situation with drug use and abuse is just shocking in our country and we are not and Deputy Connors mentioned the O'Connor Street in Dublin I can go to my own towns in my own cities our own villages they're there and nothing has been done to tackle the suppliers to tackle the so-called gangs they're looked up to and they manipulate and use and destroy young people and destroy their lives and their families and we see they're glamourised and glorified in ways and we see the proliferation of that right throughout the country we must deal with that we also must deal with all drugs alcohol everything else and the overuse of all and many of us can overindulge so we have to look at ourselves in our own practices and how we're giving to people as well but as regards the GRD and seizures 34 million worth of drugs were seized in the first nine months of this year 24 million worth and that's on the tip of the iceberg I believe as to what's coming true and the lucrative of the business the murky business as it is and the fact that judicial system doesn't seem to be able to cope where the work and bring people for the course like in many areas the judicial system hasn't caught up it's way behind it's decades if not a century behind what it should be in many areas so I'm not saying lock them up and throw away the keys again support or drug support workers but for the likes of Seesaw in Connell and Tipperary town and voluntary organisations and some private counselling there's no supports we I raised recently huge issues of drug sale and drug use in O'Connor street in Connellar and the streets offered in the lanes and the car parks and intimidation of ordinary shoppers and lack of Gourdie in Tipperary division we're short so short of Gourdie and the drugs sectioned in the drug squad is reduced for a time in in in the Connellar district we didn't have anyone in the drug squad and now we have one or two where they do good work but we just don't have enough and they don't have their supports and then when they go to revolving doors of the courts hearings they meet them back out in the streets and on continued bail and continued free legal aid so we have to wake up and smell the coffee here so we need to support them as I said the HSE are sadly lacking there's positions vacant all over South Tipperary in our area and then some in our tip which haven't been filled for years and we can apply managers we can apply anywhere we like but these so badly needed and dedicated personnel that will help with families and and I support all the vulnerable groups to try and help and some ordinary individuals that get involved and try and help I want to salute the Deputy Collins as well and the effort he made for we would be to me and our group assisted as we could and I wish Eva a happy birthday as well but look the battle that she went through for our medicine purposes so and and how the Minister had to be dry kicking and screaming and then they had to get her from abroad and had to be signed off by two consultants so it's so difficult and so adduous but Minister I think you were in Clarmel yesterday launching some strategy and you know when it's a dull sitting day it's not easy being the constituency we're elected to be here to do legislation and so an awful lot needs to be done here and it's not a citizens in me I don't think another talking shop is going to sort it out we need a dedicated action but all the all the pious passages in the world and even legislation if we happen to guarantee if we happen to support agencies to support people that may be slipping into their pattern and need assistance and if we happen to the council is there to help them and help their families as well so it's fine it's passing legislation here and changing legislation if we don't have the resources to help people thank you
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