"There is no colour left in Gaza." Those were the words of Dr. Mohamed, a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières, who presented to us in the audiovisual room last week the updated humanitarian situation in Gaza, alongside his colleague Dr. Sohaib. Both doctors spoke of the unbearable reality of trying to save children torn apart by shrapnel, often without anaesthetic, electricity or even clean water. They told us about two little girls, just four and six-years-old, two sisters who they did everything possible to save…

I commend Senator Curley on tabling this motion. Equitable access and education for students with additional requirements in exams and more broadly is something he has been consistent on and committed to since becoming a Senator. As we all know, secondary school students with dyslexia and dyscalculia and their families are deeply distressed by this wait for the State Examinations Commission to finalise its long-promised review of the reasonable accommodations at certificate examinations. The request from students i…

Over the past week, the conflict in Sudan has escalated seriously. The humanitarian situation is even more catastrophic, if it can even get to that level. While the additional funding of €3 million committed by Irish Aid is welcome, we must do more. Mass killings are taking place. There are reports of summary executions. Satellites have picked up large bloodstains on the ground, such is the scale of the slaughter and the bloodshed as the paramilitary force, the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, regained control over Darfu…

I think we all welcome the publication of the Government's new strategy for disabled people. We have heard words such as "aspirational" and "potential", but I am concerned that without any meaningful targets, this is not going to address the severe crisis the sector is in. We need to be honest in this discussion that disabled people in Ireland are living in crisis and have heard fine words before. To be frank, our record on disability rights and implementing the UN convention is one of delay and denial. This strate…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to speak about the first Bill I have introduced in the Seanad. I welcome to the Gallery colleagues from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Safe Ireland and Women's Aid, who have expressed their support for the Bill. It is a modest but vital proposal rooted in one simple idea, namely, that freedom of movement can mean freedom from harm. The Bill will provide survivors of domestic violence and their dependants with three months of free public transport. It is …

This is the first time that I and the Minister have spoken. He said that we have not worked together before. I welcome his positive words about the Bill. I understand that he has a commitment and a desire to pass this. However, with all due respect, this is not just about his Department. This is something that has happened across the board with all different types of Bills. Passing this Bill, allowing it to go to Committee Stage and allowing Committee Stage debate would not prevent the Department from strengthening…

In the most recent general election Fine Gael promised to cap childcare costs at €200 per month per child, and it would do that within 100 days of the new Government. It also promised to create 30,000 new early learning places. It was a commitment made in a manifesto that I am sure was widely read by parents across the country. I can only imagine that now, two weeks after the budget, those parents must be feeling deeply disappointed and let down. Fianna Fáil made similar pledges of a €200 cap and measures to improv…

Over the past few days we have heard from the Taoiseach that the inclusion of services in the occupied territories Bill is not implementable. This is completely at odds with the recommendation of the foreign affairs committee, which unanimously agreed, on a cross- party basis, on the inclusion of services. Could the Taoiseach please be frank about what aspects of services he specifically believes are not implementable? The foreign affairs committee met with eminent EU and international lawyers who established a cle…

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that No.11 to be taken before No. 1, referring to the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025. This Bill seeks to provide a three-month free travel pass to survivors of domestic violence. Today, I want to talk about the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, which is really welcome news after the two years of horror we have had. The scenes of relief, joy and families being reunited with each other we have witnessed over the past few days have been real…

I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a free travel scheme for victims fleeing domestic violence; and to provide for related matters. That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a free travel scheme for victims fleeing domestic violence; and to provide for related matters.

Next Tuesday.

I move amendment No. 1: After “recognises that:” to insert the following paragraph: “- Ireland has a role as a historic leader in peace, with our credibility as peace leaders grounded in Ireland’s neutrality;"

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I acknowledge the ambassador and deputy ambassador and thank them for coming to the foreign affairs committee today, and to the Ukrainians we have visiting the Chamber. I reaffirm my commitment, our commitment as a Chamber and our solidarity with the Ukrainian people who have suffered horrendous conditions and human rights abuses for the past three years from Russia's illegal invasion. We have already heard it this evening but it bears repeating that the Ukrainian people…

I move amendment No. 2: To delete the first paragraph under “acknowledges that:” and substitute the following: “- Ireland, as part of the international community committed to international law, will continue to support and stand in solidarity with Ukraine;”

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to provide me with an update on the implementation of the zero tolerance strategy for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I have asked that we have a particular focus in our discussion on housing provision and on the Government's plans to address the acute crisis faced by survivors of domestic violence across the country. Housing is not a peripheral issue in the context of domestic violence. It is central to safety, recovery and dignity. For too many sur…

I am delighted to hear about the progress being made on the strategy for removing offenders from the home. That is a really positive step for women, particularly in situations where there are children. I would love to get an update on that as it goes through the Department. The Minister of State's response focused mainly on emergency housing. In my contribution I was trying to underscore that this is a systemic issue. The point of a refuge is that it is short term. Women are finding themselves in hotels and refuges…

This week marks ten years since the Carrickmines fire that claimed the lives of ten members of the Connors family including five children and a pregnant mother. It was a very dark night in recent Irish history. It was a tragedy that exposed not just the fragility of life but the fragility of the State's commitment to the Traveller community. In the immediate aftermath, we heard lots of promises and commitments. We were told that conditions on halting sites would be reviewed, that safety would be prioritised and tha…

I wish to share time with Senator Cosgrove.

This budget is a missed opportunity to deliver for families and women, and childcare in particular is an example of that. The budget does not address the Government’s election promise to cap fees at €200 per month. Some families are paying more than €1,000 per month at the moment and have been for quite a while. That is leading to women making decisions about not going back to work after having children, such is the cost of childcare. So much for women's equality when women are making decisions about remaining at h…

I am sharing my time with Senator Cosgrove.