The most recent guidelines relating to the ongoing restrictions in maternity hospitals date back to September. Since then there have been significant changes, including that front-line healthcare workers have been vaccinated. The Taoiseach told me back in September that there needs to be and should be a national approach to this. Of course, it should never have been a geographical lottery. In early December, the HSE reclassified partners as an essential accompanying person for the 20-week scan. Incredibly, partners…

I am not calling for restrictions to be eased. I am talking about where front-line healthcare workers are vaccinated.

Zero Covid is-----

A man is not a visitor at the birth of his child.

The hospitality sector is one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. We know that reopening will not mean automatic recovery. Uncertainty for employees and business owners is symptomatic of a pandemic. However, we can and should provide certainty where possible - for example, the guaranteed continuation of the 9% VAT rate until 2025, an extension of the rates waiver for at least a year after reopening and an extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme post-reopening. Weddings with 25 guests versus weddings with 20…

On Sunday night, in Cahir, County Tipperary, a women's history group put up 24 temporary plaques to celebrate the forgotten women of the town. They dedicated one plaque to the banished women of Cahir and placed it at the spot on the square where women and girls were picked up to be sent to mother and baby homes. It reads: Banished Women We waited here to be taken to Mother and Baby Homes The shame was not theirs - it was ours. They reminded us that this happened in every town and village. Church and State colluded …

I refer to the ongoing restrictions in maternity hospitals. Needless to say, everyone supports necessary restrictions, but mothers and families were understandably shocked when restrictions allowed socialising in pubs but they still had to go through labour alone, fathers could not attend the births of their own children and women sometimes received tragic news alone, messaging their partners in car parks. This is not to mention the fact that this was literally a postcode lottery; there was absolutely no consistenc…

First, in response to one of my September parliamentary questions, the Minister stated that all higher education institutions, HEIs, were to publish action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment by February. I am wondering if all HEIs have complied and if not what steps the Minister is taking to ensure compliance. I would also like to note the Minister’s work in this area and the progress being made on the framework for consent in HEIs. Second, I wish to state that the review of SUSI is most welcome. Howe…

For some people who are doing the apprenticeship programmes, the problem is that they have not yet got their results for the off-the-job training they did. This means that when they are on the job, that time is not being counted towards their apprenticeship. Will the Minister of State look into what the hold-up might be in this regard? It involves the desk work and other activity that could be going on during the pandemic. For a person doing an apprenticeship in mechanics, for example, who has completed the off-the…

The community employment, CE, programme is invaluable. Workers gain experience and develop skills. Communities gain from the work and society gains from the programme. In west Cork, CE workers are vital. Without them, many rural services and organisations would close. Skibbereen Education and Environment Project recently shared with me a selection of the roles CE workers fill. There is the care and repair service, set up with support from one of my predecessors, former Deputy Jim Daly, which carries out small repai…

I thank the Minister of State and welcome his interest in the scheme. Communities now need that interest to be lived up to with commitments. The programme is incredible value for money. For almost 20 hours of work a week, participants get only €22.50 more than their social welfare payment. While my critique of this small amount is a discussion for another day, the Government and Department must recognise that the cost of the programme is vastly outweighed by its impact on the ground and it needs greater flexibility…

International Women’s Day is about celebrating achievement – the achievements of women who are scientists, artists, sportswomen as well as healthcare professionals, caregivers and parents. Every role is important in this year of pandemic. The pandemic has brought much suffering, hurt and fear and a terrifying amount of domestic violence. There was an increase of 26% in reported cases of domestic violence in west Cork and a 35% increase in calls to the west Cork women against domestic violence service. Safe Ireland …

It is essential to extend the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes so people can seek a judicial review, if required. That is a legal entitlement. It would allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to continue its investigation. If any testimonies are not recovered, survivors can seek a remedy under the general data protection regulation, GDPR, as required by EU law. Yesterday, the Government passed the Social Democrats motion to extend the commission but it will not do it. We all know this is a c…

The House passed a motion yesterday, which the Government has no intention of honouring.

They cannot take a case against a non-entity.

It was a different time. That is what we say in this country when we do not have the words to describe why so many people suffered and we do not have the answers as to how and why it happened. It was a different time. It is not easy to find the words to describe how we, as a country, treated our most vulnerable. It is difficult, painful and uncomfortable, but it is essential. We must find the words, however hard it might be. We need to express, in plain English, the painful truth of what happened in these instituti…

There is increasing opposition to the Government's attempt to rush through the ratification of the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA, including several local authorities asking for Oireachtas scrutiny this week. One of the main objections is the creation of an investor court system which would allow corporations to sue the Government, bypassing domestic and EU courts. Big tobacco has used this system in other countries to sue governments. If this investment court system were in place in 2004, big tobacco…

The pandemic is taking its toll on everyone's mental health. It is especially felt by people living alone, young people and people who have not been able to see their family members since last March. The key to addressing increased anxiety and isolation is an effective Covid elimination strategy for the island of Ireland, such as that proposed by the We Can be Zero campaign. We need immediate measures, a massive investment in public health resources, distribution of the vaccine, mandatory hotel-based quarantining f…

What about people with disabilities in those congregated settings?

Economic, social and cultural rights help ensure a better quality of life for people. They guarantee basic dignities, including workers' rights, protection for families, and recognising the importance of cultural activities. These rights are a legal and moral tool to fight endemic injustices in our society, to address homelessness, to cut healthcare waiting lists, to end direct provision, to give all people with disabilities the dignity they deserve, and to seriously respond to the climate crisis. Former President …