As Sinn Féin spokesperson on Drugs and Alcohol misuse I spoke in the Dáil on the governements National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. The strategy has many good aspirations and goals but unfortunately lacks the funding and resources to implement them. I told the minister that more funding needs to be given to Drugs and Alcohol tasks forces if the governement wants this strategy to work.

I spoke Sinn Féin’s PMB in the Dáil this week on the scandal of hospital waiting lists. The number of people on hospital waiting lists is the highest since records began. Another way this governement has failed us.

I flagged up in the Dáil yesterday the impact the Papal visit will have on those who are homeless or are self accommodating and are living in hotels and B&Bs. 763 families are currently in this position. It has been the case that in the past that such families are put out of the hotels and B&Bs when major events take place in Dublin City so that there rooms can be let for exhorbitant prices. I asked the Minister to ensure that homeless families will not suffer as a consequence of the forthcoming papal visit.

Speaking in support of the Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance services last night in the Dáil. I have been supporting the DFB on retaining the ambulance services as a councillor even before I was a TD.

I raised the issue of reform of the Electoral Register under promised legislation today. We need a better system for putting people on the register than the one that exists at the moment.

Tenants need greater security of tenure and rent certainty.

Last night I spoke on the Sinn Féin Bill which aims to halt the student rents shakedown by giving students in student specific accommodation the protection of the Residential Tenancies Act including access to the Residential Tenancies Board and inclusion in the rent pressure zones. Students in DCU did ‘Sleep Outs’ last April to highlight the outrageous hikes in student rental accommodation. This Bill addresses their concerns.

I spoke at the Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday on the impact the construction of Metro North will have on local communities,schools, clubs and residents and particularly in relation to the devasting effect it will have on clubs like Na Fianna and Home Farm if their grounds are used to store heavy boring equipment or work is commenced from there. The clubs, schools and residents made impassioned and thoughtful presentations to the committee. I hope the NTA and the TII have taken on board all these views and my suggestion to look at alternative locations for the commencement of work and the storing of equipment. Lets hope they have got the message that their current proposal is not acceptable and is unworkable.