Last year the Government missed its own deadline for delivery of a report and recommendations for the North Inner City. Thanks to the Northside People and Near FM for helping me raise awareness of the concerns over the inadequacy of the Governments response. There were more than fifty written submissions made to the Taoiseach’s Tasforce yet there was not one written response from either the Taoiseach or the eleven relevant Ministers offices. The Taoiseach and his Minister’s are showing very poor regard for the North Inner City Community. Their behavior is disrespectful and displays a lack of serious commitment to tackle the issues. I have raised my concerns with Michéal Martin and asked him to address them with the Taoiseach on behalf of the North Inner City Community.

New National Drugs Strategy
Minister for Drugs Jennifer Murnane O’Connor recently updated me in Seanad Eireann on the new national drugs strategy. Her new strategy is designed to respond to the significant changes in drug-use patterns in Ireland and to ensure equitable access to services across the country. The draft strategy proposes five strategic


