Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Friday is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. I want to express solidarity with all who suffer violence because of their gender or sexual orientation. In particular, I express solidarity with the women of Iran and all participating in the uprising against the regime that murdered Mahsa Amini. I also want to express solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado after the nightclub killings last weekend. I salute all who are fighting back against gender-based violence. I wish the organisers of the protest on Friday, ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement, the best of luck and success with those protests.

If society is to promote consent and combat misogyny, homophobia and transphobia, we need to take many steps, not least of which is the separation of church and State, including in the sphere of education. An improved sex education curriculum will only go so far when the church continues to run schools that are funded by the taxpayer. What actions does the Taoiseach intend to take on this front?

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