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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Use your Brain, Not your Fists

Summary

Deputy Scanlon presents a Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg campaign against alcohol-related assaults and seeks its inclusion in SPHE. The Tánaiste praises the initiative and suggests contacting the relevant Ministers directly, though the Deputy says that has already been done.

Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg this year worked on an initiative that has gained media attention. Launched in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, on Friday, 27 April, the campaign is called Use your Brain, Not your Fists. It targets those responsible for random alcohol-related assaults, the majority of which, according to the statistics, are perpetrated between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. by persons who are not known to the Garda and are not repeat offenders. The Comhairle na nÓg Leitrim steering committee believes the initiative should be included in the social, personal and health education, SPHE course in all secondary schools. Comhairle members produced a short film with the title, "Use your Brain, Not your Fists", for circulation to the media, schools and youth groups. The video features Ms Rosie Dolan and Mr. Joe Grogan, the parents of two young men who were assaulted in unprovoked attacks. Joe and Rosie Dolan are the parents of the late Andrew Dolan who was killed when he was struck and fell in an unprovoked attack. Shane Grogan is severely disabled as a result of an unprovoked attack.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Does Deputy Scanlon have a question?

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Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg has written to the Ministers for Justice and Equality, Children and Youth Affairs and Education and Skills seeking to have Use your Brain, Not your Fists included in the SPHE course.

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It sounds like a good campaign. Comhairle na nÓg does a great deal of good work for young people. I suggest the Deputy drop a line to the Ministers concerned and try to get a direct answer from them. He can then revert to me if it would be helpful.

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That has been done already.

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