I thank the Minister of State. When a family comes forward like this and identifies themselves, not only can their individual case be discussed, it must be discussed. This is not a reference to the Minister of State, but I saw it employed as a rhetorical device by previous Ministers and, in particular, the HSE, when they say that they cannot comment on individual cases. However, when a family comes forward, not only can they comment, they must comment on individual cases. It happens in rape cases, where survivors g…

I commend my colleagues in Sinn Féin on tabling this Private Members' motion and welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. Cuirim fáilte roimhe and I offer my comhghairdeas on his appointment to this very important role. This set of proposals comes within a particular context. At the moment, for example, there are more than 110,000 Irish children awaiting some sort of service, whether that be physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or psychological supports. We have 10,000 children waiting on an ass…

I support my colleagues in opposition on the importance of the triple lock to Ireland's neutral status. Many commentators have said that there is no link between them, which is politically and philosophically incorrect. I did some research before I came into the Chamber. In the past 24 days there have been no fewer than 48 opinion and analysis pieces in our broadsheet newspapers and on our national broadcaster, focusing on Ireland's requirement to, as they say, step up to the plate and become a part of Europe's mil…

I remind the House that the Shannon report into serial and systematic sexual abuse of young men and boys in St. John Ambulance was published two years ago, in March 2023. We hear from reports in the media that there is no plan on the part of the Minister, Deputy Foley, to have a public inquiry into what happened at St. John Ambulance. I would be concerned about what is happening in St. John Ambulance as we speak. During the preparation of Dr. Shannon’s report, he engaged with more than 100 young men and boys who ha…

I thank the Minister for coming to the House this evening. I echo my colleague's congratulations. Déanaim comhghairdeas léi. I am delighted she has been appointed as Minister because, as others have said, she has the tenacity and capacity to deal with the many challenges that confront us in health. I thank Senator McDowell for drafting the Bill, bringing it forward and having it reinstated on the Order Paper. I want to specifically address section 1, relating to the establishment of a scoliosis treatment service "f…

He would disagree.

I thank the Minister of State for attending. It is International Women's Day on Saturday. Later today, we will have a Private Members' debate on women's health on this auspicious week. I raise the issue of a young Irish girl, Eve Lynn Woods, born in 2018. She is seven years old. Like thousands of other children in Ireland, she has received no meaningful physiotherapy or occupational or speech therapy. She has received no assessment of needs and she is seven years old. She has a diagnosis that her parents - her mum,…

I know that.

I absolutely acknowledge the Minister of State's sincerity and that of Senator Rabbitte on these matters. The Minister of State mentioned the CDNTs. The CDNTs are completely and utterly dysfunctional. My understanding is that the person who launched the CDNT programme was seconded to the HSE. They were not a clinician. There was never any clinical sign-off on the CDNT system and they have absolutely destroyed what little we had. There was never any clinical risk assessment of what would happen to our children and n…

They are not.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Déanaim comhghairdeas leí. I have not seen her since her appointment. I am delighted for her. I know she will be very good in the role. I wish a happy International Women's Day to all of our colleagues and all those watching. I owe so much to the women in my life, including my mother for giving birth to me. "Thank you, mum". May she rest in peace. I want to talk about a concern that has been raised with me specifically in the context of women's health by two paediatric s…

A conversation needs to be had in Ireland about the much-publicised Government plans to get rid of the triple lock. It is one thing to get rid of something but what will it be replaced with? That is not yet clear but I am sure it will be when the legislation is published. My hope is that the legislation is not guillotined in the way so much legislation has been in this House. This is not the fault of any one person but there was a tendency towards the end of the last Government for legislation to be not put through…

Hear, hear.

Before I start, I apologise to Senator Harmon for passing in front of her while she was speaking. I was not thinking.

Yes, I propose to share time with Senator McCarthy. We will have three minutes each.

I commend the Private Members' motion and refer specifically to one exhortation. It is number 22 of 29, but it is there: "ensure every service on our public transport network is accessible for people with disabilities and impaired mobility". I impress on the Minister of State - déanaim comhgháirdeachas leis agus cuirim fáilte roimhe ar ais go dtí an Seanad - that if the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is in delivery mode in the next five years, he should note that while technically much of our public transport is accessi…

I wish to raise the issue of the triple lock. It has been reported widely that the Government is considering removing the triple lock and will introduce legislation to do so in the coming weeks. I have some serious questions for everyone in this House in this regard. I am trying to be as constructive as I can. The triple lock consists of a UN Security Council resolution, or UN Assembly approval, as well as Dáil and Oireachtas approval. Those are the three layers. If the UN dimension is removed, it does not revert t…

I want to raise the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters. This is an extremely important committee, which was set up originally on the basis that it was for a special purpose. I have heard a suggestion that the committee might not be reinstated during this Dáil and Seanad term. I ask that this committee be reinstated as a matter of urgency and priority, and that it be established on a continuous and permanent basis. The committee was chaired by Deputy Michael Moynihan, who is now a Minister of State. It…

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirleach, agus comhghairdeachas, and also to Senator Wilson, the father of the House. I remember on being elected that Senator Wilson gave me some great advice. He said, "It was talking got you in here and it is talking that could get you out." Wise words of advice. On the subject of geography, we have two Senators from Tallaght. I think I am the only Senator from Finglas. I wanted to put down that marker. Continuing on the subject of geography, last week I had the privilege of doing so…

In advance of the election, I thank the Cathaoirleach and his predecessor, Senator Mark Daly, for welcoming me into this House. I also thank Martin Groves, all of the staff in the Seanad Office, the ushers and everybody else who is part of this community for their support. I particularly thank my colleagues here in Seanad Éireann for all the support they have given me in the short time I have been here and for supporting my disability Bills. I wish each and every one of them and their families the best of luck in t…