Tom Brabazon

145. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate nitrous oxide. [6635/26]

Does the Minister have any plans to introduce legislation to regulate nitrous oxide and other inhalants? As we know, those who use nitrous oxide and other inhalants as a drug are putting themselves at serious risk. Last week, Private Members' time was used to discuss nitrous oxide in particular, and the Department indicated it required time to assess the issues. It is important, however, that grea…

My question is probably wider than just the issue of nitrous oxide. It also concerns readily available inhalants like aerosols that we would all use, including deodorants. Last week at the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use, we heard from a broken-hearted mother and father who had lost their teenage son as a result of him having inhaled an aerosol. It is every parent's worst nightmare to lose their…

I appreciate that. I genuinely feel that the whole education side of it is really important, as well as regulation. It has to be a two-pronged approach.

I raise the issue of arrangements by section 39 organisations for healthcare assistants in respect of the pay increase agreed last year. I refer specifically to the healthcare assistants at Northside Home Care Services who, apparently, were somehow left out of this pay agreement and are now on strike. Northside Home Care Services provides a vital service to the most vulnerable members of society i…

I thank the Minister of State. A response to a parliamentary question in 2024 stated that Northside Home Care Services was categorised as a section 39 organisation. The HSE has communicated to these particular workers' representative body that the issue is due to their employer tendering rather than receiving a grant. We have always had a principle in labour law in this country that there be equal…

5. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Taoiseach for an update on the implementation of the Dublin city task force report. [67577/25]

As the Taoiseach is aware, the task force recommended ten big moves for regeneration, which focused on renewing O'Connell Street and the surrounding areas, dealing with dereliction and increasing security in the city. The increased presence of gardaí in the city is welcome and has improved matters but it has not fully solved them. The issue of dereliction in the city persists. Will the Taoiseach u…

I join previous speakers in thanking everybody associated with the House for their hard and diligent work throughout 2025 and I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. The issue I want to raise relates to An Post. Management and the trustees of the An Post pension scheme have agreed an increase for An Post pensioners and those pensioners are very anxious that the Minister and t…

I welcome representatives from the fishing industry who are here in the Gallery today, particularly John Lynch from Howth. The Fisheries Council meeting which took place in Brussels last week can be described as nothing short of a disaster for Ireland’s fishing industry. It is extremely important that we put into perspective how much Irish society relies on the fishing industry. More than 15,000 p…

Fáiltím roimh an deis labhartha anseo anocht ar an motion seo. Since this issue arose, I have been contacted by numerous constituents of mine, many of whom are elderly, vulnerable and on limited incomes, who fear there will be a cost of €50. I bow to Deputy Toole's superior knowledge in this particular area. They are worried about the impact such charges will have on their monthly outgoings and th…

89. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence her views on the reported drone sightings in north Dublin during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Ireland; and the measures in place to detect, deter and disable unauthorised drone activity during high profile visits from international dignitaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72320/25]

Reports of unauthorised drone sightings in north Dublin during the Zelenskyy visit are a matter of deep concern given the obvious security sensitivities involved. Such incidences highlight the real and present risk posed by drones during the high-profile visit. We can expect activity like this to persist when Ireland takes over the EU Presidency next year, as our counterparts in Denmark experience…

I was happy with the response I received from the Minister but I agree with some of Deputy Smith's sentiments.

I am frequently contacted by constituents who are social housing tenants experiencing serious and repeated antisocial and criminal behaviour in the developments in which they live. These are fine people who contribute very strongly to their local communities but who face daily disruption because they live alongside those who engage in antisocial and criminal behaviour. While those who engage in su…

1. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Taoiseach for a report on the national security strategy. [58233/25]

As the Taoiseach is aware, drone sightings in Dublin Bay during the recent Zelenskyy visit underline and underscore the scale of our vulnerabilities and the urgency and need for preparing a strategic national security package. There are reports that international anti-drone units were deployed to Dublin during the visit to assist the emergency response unit. While we welcome the assistance of othe…

One of my first contributions in this House as a TD was on this topic of the assessment of need and early interventions. In the time since, countless parents have contacted me to tell me that they are still waiting beyond the statutory timeframes for an assessment of need and for the supports their children require. We simply cannot continue to have a system where delay is normal and compliance wi…

11. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views and those of other EU ministers for foreign affairs in relation to post-ceasefire attacks in Gaza. [66462/25]

108. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received applications for compensation for the loss of animals, or animal products and animal feed, in relation to the current strain of avian flu circulating in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66456/25]

3. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs will next meet. [46849/25]

As Deputy Ardagh mentioned, there are many young people going around this city dressed up, "ballied" up, on scooters, on scramblers and so on. These young people are targeted by older criminals because they are vulnerable and impressionable. They are induced by adults with the promises of a life of luxury cars, expensive clothes and a simple get rich quick message. The grooming of young people int…

Among the concerns of the representative associations is that, while this has been negotiated and agreed at the top level, there has been no audit of the provision of services that are currently lacking and no new bespoke budget has been created to start delivering these provisions or services. Any improvements that are being delivered seem to be somewhat haphazard or delivered by local engagement…

The Tánaiste mentioned Wi-Fi as one of the things being looked at but there are other deliverables, including additional or increased bottled water and rations for overseas locations and improvements to laundry and recreation facilities across Defence Forces locations at home and overseas. Perhaps something in that regard could also be looked at.

Over the recent bank holiday weekend, DART services were suspended due to maintenance work. While I accept this maintenance work has to be done, does it really have to be done over a bank holiday weekend, particularly when the Dublin city marathon, with more than 20,000 participants, was taking place? Many of my constituents found themselves unable to use public transport because the DART was not …