An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-09
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Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), Administrative Panel

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil grouping here, I also extend our deepest sympathies.
First, I wish Katie McCabe and her team the very best of luck tonight in Grenoble at 8 p.m. This is a very significant match. We are all hearing about another match, but for now, this is very important; it is the World Cup qualifier. Thinking back to when I was growing up, there was not really a thought of women's football being able to compete at this level or indeed at all, so it is fantastic for our Irish women and I wish them all the best.
Last week, the midlands hospice was finally given the green light for much-needed palliative care for those who live in the midlands. It was a very long and challenging road, but Professor Humphrey O'Connor led a grassroots campaign for this. I want to pay tribute to him because there were a lot of twists and corners, as there often are, as regards site acquisition in particular.
What has happened is good. I was delighted to work with the campaign. I worked with our local Offaly representatives as well, including Barry Cowen, MEP, in his time as a TD and with Deputy Tony McCormack. It is just great to see this development and I want to note it, and I thank all of those involved.
Today is a significant day in terms of Cabinet approval of Jennie's law. I first met Jason Poole when Deputy Paul McAuliffe introduced me to him a number of years ago. I was very struck by his story, as were many, and was determined to try to help with what he clearly saw as a void in our legislation. We worked together and I drafted a Bill called Jennie's law, which went through a number of iterations here in the Seanad. I am really pleased to say that it got Cabinet approval today with the help of everyone in the Dáil and the Seanad. This may well become legislation before the end of the summer. It is an important step in helping to protect victims of domestic violence and provide people with information that could help keep them safe. It is a lasting legacy for Jennie and hopefully it will save many lives.
The last thing I would like to mention is the frontotemporal dementia, FTD, brothers. I spoke about them the week before last and then had the opportunity to meet Jordan and Cian, who have taken this incredible race of 33 marathons in 33 days. They are racing against time because they both have the gene for FTD. It was just incredible to meet them, their dad Glenn and everyone around them. This has to matter. It cannot just be about fundraising. They have raised over €2 million, which is absolutely incredible. Half of that money is going to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. It has to matter and we have to make it matter. The Government has to make it matter in terms of helping to support research and support those with dementia and their carers. Equally, all of us within our society and communities have to think in terms of making our towns dementia friendly. It is a great thing to do for those who are living with dementia and their carers. I think we need to have a debate about how we can make their legacy matter, how we can make what we saw around the country matter and how we can all work together on that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-09