Results 21-40 of 1,384 for speaker:Eileen Flynn

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Eileen Flynn: On 1 March 2017, Enda Kenny recognised the Traveller community as an ethnic minority group. Since then, we have seen pure tokenism for our community.We are not truly recognised in Ireland as an ethnic minority group. This brings me to the issue of the joint committee which focused on matters that impact the Traveller community, such as health, mental health, education, employment and...

Seanad: Community Safety: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

Eileen Flynn: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. Senator Gallagher spoke about the need for more prisons and more community service during the Order of Business. I have done work over the past four and a half years in prisons, with members of the Traveller community and others. I say, as would people who are in prison, that we do not need more prisons. What we need is more community...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (19 Feb 2025)

Eileen Flynn: Many of my speeches begin with, "I remember my mother used to say..." and I do remember her saying, "Never take on a job you can't handle." As Frances Black said, before I ever came here I dedicated my whole life to human rights, equality, diversity and justice. Today I am standing up and I cannot even ask for Members' votes because the Seanad does not work that way. The question to be put...

Seanad: Cathaoirleach a Thoghadh - Election of Cathaoirleach (12 Feb 2025)

Eileen Flynn: It is so surreal to be elected to the Houses of the Oireachtas. As a member of the Traveller community, to have missed out in the last Seanad by a vote and a half but then to have been nominated by the then Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, I will always be grateful and thankful to him for that opportunity. I can now walk down the corridors of Leinster House and no longer be stopped...

Seanad: Cathaoirleach a Thoghadh - Election of Cathaoirleach (12 Feb 2025)

Eileen Flynn: I know. It is not me,-----

Seanad: Cathaoirleach a Thoghadh - Election of Cathaoirleach (12 Feb 2025)

Eileen Flynn: -----but he would have been absolutely delighted that I am here in the Seanad. It is such a privilege for me. Nearly 40 years ago, in 1982, Nan Joyce set out on a journey. She was the first member of the Traveller community to run for office. She got more than 500 votes. Back then, there was only Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but she managed to get votes from ordinary people in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: It is difficult to believe that today's Order of Business is the last one in this Dáil and Seanad term. Something that is very close to my heart is services supporting women and children who are going through domestic violence. I have spoken numerous times about being in a refuge myself as a child. There will be an event on 16 November in Drogheda. One of the ushers, Brian...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I second Senator Warfield’s proposed amendment. I also second Senator Black’s amendment. I am delighted to be a co-sponsor of that legislation. Senators are aware from our interactions with them that local councillors’ workload has increased greatly over time. This has been recognised in some respects by increasing the representational allowance in recent years, but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I welcome the witnesses. To follow on from Deputy Farrell's comments, reducing the time dedicated to our national language by 30 minutes per week is appalling in today's world. I remember, when I was in school, being put down the back of the class for Irish and being put aside in third and fourth class for different languages like Spanish or French. It sounds, from the response, like that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I appreciate that and so do the Traveller community and parents of children with additional needs. We are not where we want to be when it comes to reduced timetables but the Department, through the committee and with NGOs, has worked really hard in the past ten years to knuckle down on this issue. I thank the officials for their reply.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: A lot of my contribution will be statements drawn from life experience. Following on from Senator Mullen's comments, what can the Department of Education do to stop the scaring in society that is going on? On my local radio station two weeks ago, there was a conversation about a young boy coming home with nail varnish. Billie and Lacey can put nail varnish on Liam's nails and we think...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I would like to hear what the Department has to say on what kind of campaign we need or whether we even need a campaign on being straightforward with parents about what is going on with children.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I am only looking for ideas.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I have a point on the Traveller community. This is really important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: That is okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on the Draft Curriculum Specifications at Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I would like to hear about the campaign and what we can do to stop parents-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Integration of Early Years Learning into Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I will start with something very positive. The changes for children in early education are welcomed by many parents. I know it is not enough for many parents - I get that - but it is a great starting point for the work of the children's committee, this committee, and others - mostly women - who are very passionate about childcare and early education in general. I know the grants for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Integration of Early Years Learning into Primary Level: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Eileen Flynn: This is something culturally appropriate. The Donegal Travellers Project has the parents and children workbooks and designed trailers and little wagons made from timber. When I went to the organisation, it gave me a few bags of cultural stories for children. I gave them to the local crèche, which was delighted with them. All that is needed is something simple as. Children are always...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I am seeking a debate on Traveller accommodation. The Traveller committee is launching an interim report on the Traveller caravan loan scheme. I would like a discussion in the House on this. I would also like a wider discussion on illegal camping and what it means for people who are on lands. In 2000 Travellers were banned from travelling with the trespass legislation that stopped us...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Direct Provision System (23 Oct 2024)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I want to talk about children in direct provision. In February 2021, the Government published a White Paper to end direct provision and to establish a new international protection support service. The White Paper included a commitment to introduce an additional monthly payment per child for a child in international protection. However, here we are, more than...