Results 41-60 of 74 for going forward speaker:Eileen Flynn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Eileen Flynn: We did some good work of which we are all proud. There is cross-party support for places in summer programmes. I recommend that people consider the recommendations because they were influenced by mothers of people who are autistic, by autistic people and by carers. Why were Inclusion Ireland and Dr. Roddy not invited to be part of the conversation on the autism strategy? On independent...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...but you cannot make him drink it". To be clear it was not about me as a person but if we are marking minority voices and major change, it was a pity. The House needs to consider that if we are going to be talking about minorities and have people from minority groups in the Seanad, we need to give them the opportunity. What I would have said yesterday, standing on the shoulders of great...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...of me. I do not want to be seen to be against the one-off payments because they are important for people. However, they are not the answer. We need to look at what is more sustainable for people going forward and increase social welfare payments. On what has already been said, I have supported people to get disability allowance at least three times. I raised this matter with the...

Seanad: Childcare Services: Motion [Private Members] (7 Dec 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...8 p.m. and we are speaking about childcare. I thank my colleagues in the Labour Party for tabling this very important motion before the House. I am a mother of two young children. Lacey has just gone 15 months and Billie is three. I put Billie's name down for childcare when I was working in the National Traveller Women's Forum before I came to the Seanad. The reality is that if I had...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Oct 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...do not have other people staying in their houses. I was working with two men from Ballyfermot recently who were being evicted. One was a member of the Traveller community. They have nowhere to go and no protection. They are just being put out by their landlord. These two men are now couch-surfing. We must look after these people and amendment No. 9 seeks to do this. Amendments Nos....

Seanad: Poverty and Social Exclusion: Motion (19 Oct 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...on a halting site. The likes of Senator Ruane and me are so lucky to be here, but that does not mean our communities are out of poverty. I think of that song “Love Is All Around”, everywhere we go. For me and for Senator Ruane, poverty is all around us. We see it, we lived it and we breathed it. I thank Senator Ruane, Robert and the rest of her team for bringing this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education: Discussion (18 Oct 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...the teachers as that is important. However, our young people from all walks of life are crying out for mental health supports. It is an investment. How does the Department invest in our children going forward? It was one of the asks of the INTO before budget 2023 and I will do all in my power to provide support and make it possible. I most definitely would, but we cannot expect too...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Education and the UNCRPD: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...in mainstream schools. So those services should be there. The committee met representatives of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, a few weeks ago and they spoke about the budget going forward. They only have four requests but the one on which I want to focus is mental health supports within our schools. Something that has not been touched on as we come up to the...

Seanad: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Second Stage (11 Jul 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...You have done all of the right things. Please bear in mind that the Mica Acting Group was established in 2013 yet we are talking about this issue as if it came to our attention two or three years ago. The Government has let down the people, and the affected homeowners need more than words right now. I offer my solidarity to the homeowners. Later this week, I will table very strong...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy in Education: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...teachers. I am on the campaign to treat our SNAs with respect. SNAs have a major role to play in the education of children with additional needs. Do the witnesses want to touch on the role of SNAs going forward? What consultation do the unions have with disability organisations? If they had a magic wand to put something in place right now, what do the unions think would be ideal for...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...Minister of State's heart is in the right place when it comes to equality and diversity, but we have to hold ourselves to account as legislators. We have to write it into our policies and make changes going forward. It must be there in black and white, so that we can implement it as public representatives. As well as talking the talk, Senators, Deputies and Ministers need to be able to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...xe1;il last week to the effect that people living in trailers or caravans are not respected.I would like the Tánaiste to reflect on his actions last week in the Dáil and, most importantly, to be mindful going forward of the poor people in our society. While I have the opportunity, I will say to every Member of the House that they may not be anti-Traveller and stand up and be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education and Supports Provision for Displaced Ukrainian Students: Discussion (14 Jun 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ..., I have seen how Travellers are treated as less and how that can really impact on your life and on the whole community. I welcome the Ukrainian refugees. It is important and very positive going forward. I genuinely believe we should treat all refugees who enter the country with the same dignity and respect. I worked with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and did some voluntary work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...to put that on the record. People do not need help. People need support to be able to empower and help themselves. Financial supports give disabled people tools and opportunities to be able to go about their daily lives, in the context of their basic needs. Yesterday, I was speaking to a person around language coming in to this committee, and not wanting to offend or insult anybody....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Mar 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...years ago, we had a refugee crisis. Last year, we had a refugee crisis. This time last month, we had a refugee crisis. Unfortunately, we could not deal with those refugees. I hope to God that going forward we are going to treat people equally. I am worried about the Roma people in Ukraine at this time, in particular whether they are being treated fairly and are getting equal access...

Seanad: Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Statements (24 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...very passionate about mental health and the inequality that young people from disadvantaged communities experience in the mental health system. Yesterday my colleague, Senator Lynn Ruane, brought forward a motion on a drugs citizens' assembly but, unfortunately, it was voted down in this House. I am standing here even more disheartened as a result. Although we are hearing good and...

Seanad: Citizens' Assemblies: Motion (23 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...do it. As many Senators pointed out, this is our responsibility. I have two little girls, a five-month-old and a two-year-old, and even though we are in Donegal, that does not mean they are never going to see drugs. I want a better future for them and, by God, I am sure the Taoiseach wants a better future for his grandchildren in years down the line. Every one of us wants that. I...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...name it for what it is, which is child exploitation. I thank the Minister of State for the fact that the Government has not opposed the Bill so it could have been an awful lot worse. We look forward to further discussions in committee but, more importantly, with the Minister and I hope that we will be able to progress on to the next level. As all of the Senators have said here today,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Equality and Non-Discrimination: Discussion (3 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...It is grand that we as politicians and legislators listen but it is not just about listening. It is about listening but the recommendations the witnesses give us today are extremely important for going forward. We may be talking about 40 people but this is an awful lot of people who have this issue and they need to be listened to. I do a lot of work with independent living. It should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Discussion (1 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: ...here today. In 2011 and 2012 when I was the education worker in the Irish Traveller Movement I remember the Stokes case in Tipperary where a child could not get access to school because the parents did not go to that school. I remember in 2012 my own nephew did not get access to a local school in Ballyfermot. It was all over the news. Again, it is very tough. I remember doing an...