International Women's Day: Statements
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-04
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Maria McCormack (SF), Labour Panel

Behind every change we see in Ireland, there is a woman who refused to stay silent. That is what my mother says to me anyway. She is the most important woman in my life. She is the only woman who has tuned in every single time I have stood in this Chamber for the past year. As we mark International Women's Day, I reflect on the many battles in Ireland we still have. There is progress, but we still have to strive for better.
This day last year, I raised the issue of endometriosis in this Chamber, highlighting the reality faced by thousands of women who have spent years seeking a diagnosis and struggling to access treatment. Since then, we have had progress with the establishment of the national task force and the introduction of the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme, ESAIS, to access care outside of Ireland for women who cannot access proper multidisciplinary teams in Ireland. It is a payment upfront scheme. It is welcome. These developments came because of the voices of women who refused to stay silent. They were finally heard.
Over the past year in this role, I have had the privilege of meeting many incredible women in this country. It has framed so much of my work here. I have met survivors of domestic and sexual abuse who showed incredible courage in speaking out about the trauma they experienced and the barriers they faced when seeking justice and support. I am proud to have seen the access to justice Bill brought forward by Deputy Matt Carthy as a result of these incredible women coming forward.
I have met women who want to work and talk about their independence and opportunities. There are barriers that we still have to work on, such as childcare costs, which makes the choice feel out of reach for them.
There is incredible work being done by the all-party Good Friday Agreement committee. It published an important report on women and constitutional change which made a powerful point that if constitutional change comes, Ireland will have a rare opportunity to design a process that truly includes women in shaping a new and agreed Ireland. That process must centre the voices of those too often overlooked. Across Ireland, women are already stepping forward and taking part in the conversation about Ireland's constitutional future. As Constance Markievicz once said, "We have proved ourselves to be as good as men." The women of Ireland continue to prove it every single day. I will continue to bring their voices into the Seanad Chamber and frame my work.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-04/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:43+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-04