Full transcript: Patrick Costello TD: President von der Leyen has shown that her support for international law is less about the rule of law and more about whether she supports the victims or not. Uachtarán na hÉireann has been very strong on this in saying she does not speak for Ireland. Does the Taoiseach agree…
WATCH: Need to increase protections for victims of trafficking.
Full transcript: Like other Deputies, I welcome the changes relating to sexual offences. Plenty of time is spent in this Chamber discussing the issues of violence against women, assault and sexual violence and the fact that this is a cross-society issue, but the justice system needs to play a part in that. Regarding the journey…
WATCH: Domestic Violence Supports
Full transcript: As has been said before, the Minister was totally right to say we need zero tolerance on the issue of domestic and gender-based violence. This is a scourge that still haunts our country and still exposes many people, many women and girls, to threats, violence and death. Their very lives are at stake…
WATCH: Marraige Discrimination with Disability Payments
Transcript: Deputy Costello – I welcome the recent news of the significant overhaul of the disability payment system. Ms Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, a disability activist from Clane, wrote in the Irish Independent last week about how she had been excitedly planning her wedding only to find out she was going to lose her disability allowance upon getting…
WATCH: Dublin Needs a Directly Elected Mayor
Full transcript: I welcome the Bill. I welcome this change and reform to local democracy. It is, I hope, a real chance for change. Many improvements need to be made and we will get to that, but in reality local democracy in Ireland is rarely either local or democratic. Most of the power is held…
STATEMENT: State should purchase BOI College Green as flagship project for College Green Pedestrianisation – Costello
Patrick Costello TD for Dublin South Central was today speaking following the weekend pedestrianisation of College Green as ‘Notre Dame Street’. He began, ‘Last weekend we saw the pedestrianisation of College Green as part of the festivities around the American Football game in Lansdowne Road. This is not the first time the council have put…
STATEMENT: Costello calls for de-escalation following the deployment of armed Gardaí, saying “we need Gardaí on the street, but not armed Gardaí”
Patrick Costello TD, Green Party Justice Spokesperson, was today speaking following the announcement of the deployment of armed gardaí units in Dublin City. He began, “We have all been shocked by the upsurge in crime witnessed on the streets of Dublin. These recent attacks are completely unacceptable and require an immediate and appropriate response. Today…