WATCH: Social Justice and Climate Justice go hand in hand

Full transcript: It is good to discuss in the Chamber the climate action plan. We are also discussing other matters, those being the recent UN meeting and the national development plan, NDP. The national climate plan and the NDP are inextricably linked and our climate action depends on them working in harmony. Our ability to…

WATCH: Dublin Needs More Communtiy Guards

Last week Patrick Costello TD spoke on a bill relating to reform of An Garda Síochána. One aspect raised was Community Guards and the need to fund them in Dublin. While their number increases nationally, in Dublin we are still down one third of the peak numbers in 2009. Full transcript of speech: Like previous…

WATCH: TUSLA social workers needed in District Protective Services Units

Patrick Costello TD advocated for cooperation between TUSLA and the Department of Justice. Full transcript: One initiative in recent years that I would like to single out for praise is the development of the district protective services units. These are excellent specialist units designed to deal with more sensitive issues such as domestic violence. They…

WATCH: Regeneration of Oliver Bond Complex in Dublin City

Full transcript – Deputy Costello: This is a difficult subject because it is a very difficult, layered and multifaceted problem. I have been contacted in recent days by residents of the Oliver Bond flats complex, just down the road from here in the south-west inner city. They are concerned about the ongoing drug-dealing in the…

STATEMENT: Costello responds to judgement on CETA High Court Case

I would like to thank Ms Justice Butler for the consideration given to this case. We will have to take time to study the judgement before deciding on next steps and deciding on the question of an appeal. It is encouraging that many of the Government’s arguments were rejected by the court. The court has…

STATEMENT: Costello calls for end to Minister Foley’s inaction on national policy to combat sexual harassment in schools

Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin South-Central, Deputy Patrick Costello, has called for an end to the Minister for Education, Norma Foley’s inaction on implementing a national policy to tackle sexual harassment in second-level schools. Deputy Costello’s calls come following today’s launch of damning new research from the Rape Crisis Network Ireland…