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available for people. The DRIVE programme brings together law enforcement, health services, social services and community organisations specifically to try to address drug-related intimidation through a co-ordinated and, importantly, a victim-centred approach. These are victims we are talking about. Importantly, she also outlined that … forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs. A clear focus and priority of this work is to tackle drug-related intimidation. This is a priority for An Garda Síochána and it is really important that where people find themselves in this situation that they come

many lives have been lost or destroyed due to drug-related intimidation and it is my firmly-held belief that each and every one of those deaths should have been a watershed moment. Across counties Longford and Westmeath, I see individuals and communities being absolutely terrorised. There … Those three words are going to be repeated in every single one of our constituencies until we put a hard stop to drug-related intimidation. Nobody should be living in fear. No 70-year-old woman should stand in court and say, "I am afraid

full force of the law. The Garda must establish the facts but we know, as I am sure the Minister does, that drug-related intimidation must also be confronted head-on. Other families are looking out their front doors and wondering could their children be next. No family … managed and how families are supported? Will the Minister for justice report to this House next week on the wider response to drug-related intimidation? The response to these murders cannot be outrage today and forgotten tomorrow. The people of Waterford will not wear this and the people

written down it was blatant and that is youth workers being scared at the moment, such is the level of intimidation, drug-related intimidation and associated violence. If we are to take these communities - and not just in the north inner city - and their safety seriously, we need

turning point. As the cameras leave Waterford and the news cycle moves on, the political focus has to remain. Drug-related violence and intimidation affect families in every city, town, village and townland in the country. I personally know young men who have taken their own lives under … that devastating consequence often goes unseen and unspoken. This really must be that moment of change. The first national report on drug-related intimidation recorded 1,017 cases across every county in the State, and we know that is the tip of the iceberg. Many more go unreported

particularly important when it comes to organised crime. We know drug gangs do not respect borders. Those directing the drugs trade, orchestrating intimidation and ordering violence in communities across Ireland may be based, and oftentimes are based, in other EU member states. We need to see effective intelligence … resources that allow them to operate and ensure those responsible can be brought to justice, regardless of where they are based. Drug-related intimidation and violence are devastating families and communities across Ireland. Our response must recognise that these criminal networks operate internationally and tackling them requires cross

Yesterday, families from all over Ireland stood outside the Dáil to campaign for a stronger Government response to drug-related intimidation. On the morning of that day, another family had their home petrol bombed on Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8. In the past ten months, three children have been

launch, more than 800 individuals across the 24 drug and alcohol task force areas have received training to support those impacted by drug-related intimidation. I will talk to the Minister again in terms of anything additional. I think it is the right approach. A multidisciplinary, multi-pronged

have had to face terror on their own and in silence for too long. I have spoken to the Minister directly about drug-related intimidation. I have sat with families who live in constant fear of violence. I have met and listened to communities that have been traumatised

expected to stop the growth of these gangs when gardaí are operating on a shoestring? Operation Fógra has been successful in tackling drug-related intimidation, but why is it that Dublin gets these specialised units while communities outside it are left to watch this crisis worsen and pick

learn that County Offaly has received just one additional garda from the most recent allocation. At a time when concerns about drug-related intimidation are increasing, unfortunately, that is all we are being offered. It is not right. I ask for a much bigger allocation and further engagement

alcohol task forces on the great work they do. Additional funding will expand the DRIVE project, supporting individuals and families affected by drug-related intimidation and violence. I am also providing over €1 million for initiatives to support people with a dual diagnosis and other vulnerable groups, while

national problem. It extends beyond urban areas into more rural parts. Much of the anecdotal evidence we have on the level of drug-related intimidation in the State involves children being used to carry out the violence. It is at a level where

long-term policy choices on housing, public services and community investment. Since 2021, there have been over 2,500 recorded incidents of drug-related intimidation across this State. Arson attacks linked to drug debt have quadrupled in four years. Debts are sold between gangs so that families

farmers were forced to sell cattle to pay drug debts amid rising rural crime. What is happening in this State with drugs, drug-related intimidation and the exploitation and coercion of children into that crime is an absolute failure of this Republic. It will not simply be addressed

discuss the potential loss of the 6.50 a.m. train service from Athenry to Galway. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the increase in drug-related intimidation and violence in Cork city. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss ongoing capacity issues at University Hospital Limerick. Deputies Ged Nash, Joanna Byrne

water supply and outages across the State and local and national responses to same. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the increase in drug-related intimidation and violence in Cork city. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss ongoing capacity issues at University Hospital Limerick. Deputies Joanna Byrne and Ged Nash

This morning, a powerful piece on "Morning Ireland" about drug-related intimidation described how families are confronted by drug dealers who say that their child owes them a certain amount of money and the family now owes this money and they will terrorise the family until it gives

just littered canisters; it is the normalisation of drug use and the presence of informal supply chains. In many areas, drug-related intimidation is making daily life not just unsafe but also unbearable. Families see who controls the spaces, young people know who supplies what and the State

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss the ongoing use and misuse of e-scooter vehicles in urban areas. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss drug-related intimidation and associated violence. Deputy Sean Fleming - To discuss the need for womens' refuge accommodation in Portlaoise. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss section

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss the ongoing use and misuse of e-scooter vehicles in urban areas. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss drug-related intimidation and associated violence. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the tender for the building of Cork Educate Together Secondary School. Deputy Peter 'Chap

Kerrane - To discuss restoration of the rapid response vehicle on a 24-7 basis in County Roscommon. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss drug-related intimidation and associated violence. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the tender for the building of Cork Educate Together Secondary School. The matters raised

Cork. Deputy Brian Stanley - To discuss school places for special needs pupils at second level in Portlaoise. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss drug-related intimidation and associated violence. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss an additional autism class in Goatstown ETNS. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the backlog

number of members assigned to Garda road policing units. Deputy Brendan Smith - To discuss rural development policy. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss drug-related intimidation and associated violence. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss an additional autism class in Goatstown ETNS. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss prevention

Minister is not here talking about how we are going to crack these gangs and how we were are going to confront drug-related intimidation that is destroying our communities. This warrants immediacy