Full speech transcript: Like all the previous speakers, I welcome this Bill as a positive step. However, I disagree with the Minister of State’s comments that human trafficking and people smuggling are different. They are hand in glove. People smuggling is often the engine that facilitates the movement in human trafficking. I do not think…
WATCH: International Surrogacy needs to legal recognition in Ireland.
This week I met with campaigners ‘Irish Families Through Surrogacy’ as they protested outside Leinster House. During Questions on Promised Legislation I raised this with the Minister and the need to act.
WATCH: All-Ireland Co-operation to Fight Cancer.
Full transcript: I wish to start by echoing the thoughts of many in the Chamber on the success of BreastCheck and the screening programme. I acknowledge the hard work done by the staff of BreastCheck, the positive impact that has had on homes across the country and the lives that have been saved by it….
WATCH: Budget 22 funding for DPC must go to additional commissioners.
Full transcript: The recent budget provided a welcome increase of just over 20% for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. We have seen problems with the administration of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, regime here. Data protection authorities in other countries have tried to sidestep us. The Data Protection Commission has been called…
WATCH: Kilmainham Mill Needs Government Support
Full speech transcript: I agree with many of the comments made by Deputy Verona Murphy. Having spent a week in Fethard-on-Sea a few years back, I concur that it is definitely an excellent holiday destination. I also agree that we should not be wasting money on tourism but should be spending it carefully and in…
WATCH: Youth Justice – We Need to Engage with Stigmatised and Marginalised Groups
Full speech transcript: Like many areas of youth work and many areas in general, the Garda youth diversion projects have been under significant strain in the past 18 months or so as a result of Covid. This has allowed many of these projects to reach out and find new ways of working. Much of this…
STATEMENT: We can’t police our way out of antisocial behaviour.
Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin South Central, Deputy Patrick Costello, has called on the Minister for Justice to extend Garda Youth Diversion Programmes (GDYPs) to 18 – 24-year olds in Budget 2022 to help divert vulnerable children and young adults away from crime and anti-social behaviour. His calls come after a…
WATCH: Social Justice and Climate Justice go hand in hand
Full transcript: It is good to discuss in the Chamber the climate action plan. We are also discussing other matters, those being the recent UN meeting and the national development plan, NDP. The national climate plan and the NDP are inextricably linked and our climate action depends on them working in harmony. Our ability to…
WATCH: Afghanistan Family Reunification Programme needs to be broadened.
Full transcript: In some ways, it is hard to find the words to express that concern. It is a very serious, multifaceted and multilayered issue and there is an immediate urgency to it, but it also speaks to wider problems we face here and as part of a global community. On the immediate urgency of…
WATCH: Cost-Rental and Rezoning Windfall reform key to Housing for All
Full speech transcript: I welcome the Housing for All plan. I think one of the key issues regarding the housing crisis facing renters and people looking to buy is affordability and people being unable to find suitable homes. We are talking about a home, not just a house or a place to stay. To build…