According to the Minister's statement, we are having this discussion at a time of uncertainty. The Minister mentioned the Strait of Hormuz. Global energy markets are certainly experiencing shockwaves. The ongoing war in Iran has sent shockwaves through international markets, as mentioned, and disrupted oil and gas supplies. It has exposed Ireland once again to the fragility of our energy systems. That is because they are largely based on imported fuels. Throughout Europe, including in Ireland, we are feeling the co…

Last night's "RTÉ Investigates" programme was horrific and very disturbing. It showed a system for children in care that is not working. Not only is it under pressure but it is definitely failing the children it serves. We heard the story of Max and some other kids. Max is from our own area. He was living in a car park under the Tusla offices, two miles down the road from me. My reaction was that this is indefensible and should not be allowed. We also heard other stories about young children who were being neglecte…

A number of months ago we had Professor Steve Kerrigan appear before us and address the petitions committee. He brought in people who had suffered with sepsis or had family members who had passed away. There was a deeply moving testimony from a lady called Sinéad O'Reilly who lost her sister-in-law, Sarah. Professor Kerrigan reminded us that sepsis is on the increase and we are facing more sepsis in sicker and older communities throughout Ireland. There are fewer effective drugs to treat it. Antibiotics, which we h…

I associate myself with the comments regarding Senator Flynn, my colleague. I know what it is like to receive bullying online and it should not be tolerated. I want to support her in that. About 30 years ago I volunteered in the Salvation Army. Its homeless hostel just off O'Connell Street is called Cedar House. At that time I did not know it but it would change my outlook and how I viewed people going forward. I met a young guy there who was homeless. His name was Mick Finnegan. He has often been mentioned in this…

I would like to point out that at present, our prison systems are operating well above capacity at a national average of 125%. I have mentioned in this House before about the female prisons in Limerick and Mountjoy being over 150% capacity. Many people are entering custody there for short sentences that are often less than 12 months. The evidence shows this approach is not delivering strong outcomes and often there is a 45% re-offending rate. Nearly half of the people re-offend within one year. It is showing contin…

As the Minister of State knows, I have spoken many times in this House about the mental health system and also about the gaps where people are falling through. One area of concern I mentioned before is dual diagnosis and people coming from an addictive background when they present. I recently gave the case of a young guy from Limerick who arrived at a rehabilitation centre to get detoxed and was unfortunately hearing voices. He showed signs of mental health issues. He was then referred to accident and emergency ser…

Yes, we do know of YAP.

I mark the passing of a wonderful lady, Moya Brennan. She was often described as the first lady of Celtic music. Moya was not just a singer; she brought the Irish language and culture, as well as Celtic music, to the world stage. She did so through Clannad initially and later as a solo artist. We all know her family from the small pub in Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal, which rose to global recognition. She showed what Irish identity could look like. Personally, Moya and her husband, Tim, were huge supporters of Tiglin, the…

Thank you so much for being here today. I mentioned during our meeting downstairs that in 2022, when the war broke out in Ukraine and so many Ukrainians came to Ireland, I had the privilege of hosting first of all ten, then 20, then 30 and then 40 of them. Through the organisation I am involved with, Tiglin, we have over 150 Ukrainians living with us in our community, but not only in our community. They are part of our social fabric, part of the football teams, the social enterprises and are certainly welcome membe…

I thank the Minister of State for being here. In 2016, I was asked to present to the Oireachtas housing and homelessness committee, as it was back then. It was long before I knew what a Senator was and long before I became one, but I tried to make a difference in the area of marginalisation and homelessness, and I helped to set up an organisation called Tiglin. We were asked to appear before the housing committee and we spoke to the then Minister, Simon Coveney, who gave an undertaking that homelessness would be er…

I thank the Minister for being here. I also thank my Sinn Féin colleagues for tabling the motion. As Senator Scahill mentioned, earlier we attended the Youth Work Ireland and Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg briefing on the youth response to mental health issues. We met the most amazing people who are going to take on the world. It is fantastic that they have the opportunity to do so. On the other side of things, I recently attended a young offenders' prison. Unfortunately, I met young people who had come undone in life …

I wish to address a heartbreaking case that concerns the death of a 15-year-old, Molly Dempsey. Molly was from Baltinglass and her young life was cut short in a fatal collision in Baltinglass in May 2024. She was a daughter, a sister and a niece. She was loved and part of a family who are now waking up every day with a silence that should never have been. I extend a warm welcome to her mother, Mary Dempsey, who is here with her two aunties, Yvonne and Theresa, and acknowledge their courage in being here to support …

In recent weeks, we have been hearing a lot about the cost-of-living crisis and how it is affecting people. It seems that people in Ireland are not actually living any more, they are barely managing. That is the aspect we need to address. We are in a situation where ordinary people - decent hard-working individuals - are doing their best but are being squeezed in every way. The cost of fuel and insurance are both up. We discussed yesterday the fact that the cost of education is also up. The cost of the weekly shop …

I second the amendment.

I thank the Minister for being here. I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of that amendment, which proposes that within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Minister will produce a comprehensive report on the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. It is a measured, reasonable and necessary addition to the legislation before us. Looking at the amendment, the core of it seeks accountability from the Minister and recognises that the International Protection Bill will have significant consequences for …

I want to raise the issue of growing pressure on addiction treatment centres across Ireland because what I am seeing on the ground is very worrying. The men's centre in Tiglin has a waiting list of over 80 men. That is 80 people who have put up their hand to say that they want help. Right now, we do not have a place for them. We also do a lot of interagency work and there are no places for 80 people. The truth is that when a person in addiction puts up his or her hand there is a very narrow window of opportunity to…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following: “Report considering recommendations made by the interdepartmental working group 4. Within 12 months of the commencement of this Act, the Minister shall produce a report detailing how the remaining recommendations from the Interdepartmental Working Group’s examination of the Glegola judgement can be implemented. The report shall include specific details regarding how sole traders and individual business owners can be protected.” I t…

I thank the Minister of State. I understand then that a sole trader will be covered, but if the sole trader is an employer, then he or she would not be covered. I appreciate the Minister of State hearing my concerns as he has outlined. We will keep matters under review. I do not wish to press the amendment. I will withdraw it.

I want to raise serious concerns about the draft national drugs strategy because those working on the ground are saying it is fundamentally flawed. This week, we had three respected community networks, namely, CityWide, Family Addiction Recovery Ireland, FARI, and UISCE, briefing policymakers. Their message is clear. It is that the new draft national drugs strategy is missing the point. It fails to recognise a key point, which is that drug harm is deeply linked to poverty, inequality and disadvantage. If we are ign…

I will take a few moments to talk about an extraordinary service based in Amiens Street, Dublin - Safetynet Primary Care. It also has a homeless outreach team. The whole thing is led by a small team; Kristy, Nicola, Larry and Sinéad. Through its partnership with the likes of Tiglin and Simon, we are seeing something very powerful in action every night of the week, which is healthcare going to the most vulnerable in our society. The collaboration means that medical care, if it is combined with practical social suppo…