...Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú: Yes. This is about how we can get to having a proper, multiagency approach to deal with the complexity and early intervention and policing aspects. The big worry when we are talking about drugs and all that causes that problem is the national drugs strategy and the fear of moving away from the drugs and alcohol task forces and such community involvement....

The Taoiseach: I thank the Deputies for raising a range of issues. Deputy Ó Murchú was first in terms of antisocial behaviour and a multi-agency approach in County Louth. I agree with the Deputy that the most effective response is a multi-agency response. I support the drug partnerships approach that we had in earlier periods. The local community safety partnership has been effective. It is working in certain locations but we need to look at further initiatives in terms of community-based partnerships on the ground that are well resourced by the State. That is a view I have. I am advocating that from my position as Taoiseach and from talking to the Ministers concerned....

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett: I welcome the Northside Home Care Services workers in the Gallery. Deputy Murphy will be raising issues on their behalf, and I absolutely hope the Taoiseach will listen to them.

I want to raise another issue. The Taoiseach probably will not know about it but I ask him to raise it with the Minister for justice. Four years ago, Ned Connors died in prison. He died of alcohol poisoning. How the alcohol got into the prison and so on is a question. There was a report done by the prison inspector into the circumstances of his death, but it still has not been published. As of today, there was supposed to be an inquest happening. His family solicitors said the inquest should not go ahead until the prison inspector’s report was published. Apparently, the Minister has for some reason prevented the report from being published. This is fuelling deep concern among the family. If the Taoiseach could ask about Ned Connors and the report into his death on behalf of his family, it would be appreciated....

The Taoiseach: Deputy Boyd Barrett also raised the issue of Ned Connors, who died in prison through alcohol poisoning. That is very disturbing. The Deputy said "Apparently, the Minister has for some reason prevented the report from being published." The Minister for justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, is a fair-minded person and is scrupulous-----

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett: Something has stalled the report.

An Ceann Comhairle: No, Deputy.

The Taoiseach: The Minister is scrupulous in terms of the application of the law. I do not know what the background is to this. Maybe they do not want to prejudice the process. I do not know. I will check with the Minister for justice in respect of the report. I think the inquest is due, is it not?

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes.

__________________________________________

Dáil Éireann debate. Questions 12-32 - Cabinet committees.

133. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [22116/26]

134. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [22117/26]

135. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [22119/26]

The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 134 and 135 together.

The Cabinet Committee on Health last met on the 2nd of March 2026.

The Cabinet Committee oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and considers health reforms including Sláintecare, the reform of Public Health and health system preparedness for future health threats.

It also receives reports in relation to Programme for Government commitments in the areas of mental health and drugs policy.

The membership of the Cabinet Committee on Health includes the Taoiseach, as Chair, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

The Cabinet Committee on Health will meet again in due course.