Full transcript: This is a matter that the Minister and I have spoken about at times before. I do not doubt his sincerity and commitment to addressing this issue. I am pleased to see there are commitments in the programme for Government on the difficult issue of child poverty. There has been work across government…
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…
STATEMENT – Recommendations in Justice Committee Report on GDPR must be implemented without delay
Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin South-Central, Deputy Patrick Costello, has called on the Minister for Justice to urgently implement the recommendations put forward in the Oireachtas Justice Committee’s report on GDPR. The report, published today, makes recommendations in a number of key areas including the delays in processing complaints of data…
STATEMENT: Decision on injecting centre will “cost lives”
A court decision overturning approval for a supervised injection centre in Dublin will literally cost lives, local Green Party representatives have warned. The medically supervised injection facility is planned for Merchant’s Quay in Dublin 8, and would offer a safe, secure space for people injecting heroin. Like other facilities around the world, it aims to…
WATCH: Statements on Domestic Violence
Deputy Costello speaks on the failings of the Irish state in respect to victims of domestic violence. Full speech transcript: I want to start by pointing out that the programme for Government refers to domestic violence as an epidemic, and that was long before Covid hit our shores and long before we saw, as Deputy…
STATEMENT: Costello concerned by lack of plans to vaccinate housebound under 70s
Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin South-Central, Deputy Patrick Costello, has called on the Minister for Health to implement without delay procedures to allow the vaccination of housebound under 70s. His calls come following queries made to the HSE on behalf of housebound constituents, where he learnt there are still no provisions…