Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, everyone else here and those watching the proceedings a happy International Women's Day because we have much to be concerned about. Every International Women's Day when I have an opportunity to speak, I send my solidarity, as I do today, to the women of Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Cuba and Afghanistan and to all women who struggle.

I want to mention in particular our trans sisters. This time last year, I said we should not allow the floor of our Parliament to be used as some sort of pit for bullying trans women. Unfortunately, we have seen that happen, although it is no fault of anyone present. We must not allow it to happen. Trans rights are human rights. When we celebrate International Women's Day, we send our solidarity to trans women, because they need it, and those women who are in struggle.

The Minister mentioned domestic abuse. I want to say a very brief word about the domestic abuse organisation Aoibhneas and the women and men who work with it in my area. They do absolutely fantastic work. However, theirs is not a vocation, and they are not saints in that they have to pay their rent, feed their kids, and buy their groceries, the same as all of us. They waited years for a pay rise but there is a recruitment and retention crisis within the sector tackling domestic abuse. These workers, who are mostly women, need a JLC. As the Minister said, women are over-represented among those in low-paid and precarious work. We need to make decent work out of domestic abuse support, ensure the recruitment and retention crisis is addressed and ensure those who work for Aoibhneas and other such organisations get the pay rises they deserve, but also the pay structure they deserve, to put them on a stronger footing.

To women, particularly young women, who are considering a career in politics or getting involved in politics, I say very clearly that they should do so. It is very welcome and necessary. This job is very rewarding and we need to see more women doing it. We do not say, "If she can't see it, she can't be it" for nothing. It is very real. I encourage other parties to bring young women forward, as has been done in Sinn Féin, and ensure we have them as local representatives and part of our organisations, shaping policy and our future direction.

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