Results 161-180 of 1,384 for speaker:Eileen Flynn

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, of which I am a member, has been dealing with reform of the leaving certificate. The committee has heard from many experts and civil society actors that the current leaving certificate system favours the well off and badly fails those who are marginalised. It inflicts trauma and stress on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: Too often, even in my own life, I have seen many young people with disabilities and from marginalised communities being left out of these conversations. Is there good representation of the voice of students?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: How quickly is the Department responding to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommendation that the leaving certificate be reformed? What strategy can the Department speak to in relation to this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: Yes, 100%. Based on my work on the ground with marginalised communities, my reason for seeking the reform of the leaving certificate is that not one shoe fits all students. It is about their abilities and emotional and social skills instead of just academic skills. That is my reason. They are usually the students who fall outside of the box, so to speak. On the digital divide, the...

Seanad: Broadband Roll-out: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, for coming to the House to take this matter. I am very disappointed to read the Minister, Deputy Ryan’s national broadband plan update and to see that a few counties have been left behind on this update, Donegal being one of them. A former Minister, Pat Rabbitte, announced the national broadband plan ten years ago this August. When...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the witnesses for coming before us today. I have four simple questions, one of which has already been answered. The key stakeholders in this discussion should be the students. How is the Department responding to calls from students for leaving certificate reform? How are they included in the consultation process?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: It is brilliant to see the Acting Leader in the seat today and I hope that she will be there many more times. I wish that leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022. I am delighted to introduce my very first Private Members' Bill, which I believe addresses a very important language issue in our legislation. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: Yes.

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the title of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 whereafter, following commencement of this Act, the Act of 1998 shall be titled the "Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Act 1998"; to amend the title of the Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Act 2004 whereafter,...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: This Thursday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: Anyone in this House who has not heard of Ronnie Fay is not on the right side of justice or politics. Ronnie worked in the Traveller movement for better positive social change for our community and with our community. She was the director of Pavee Point for more than 35 years. Ronnie was a true ally of the Traveller community. This morning, I am thinking of Philip, her children and her...

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

Eileen Flynn: Hear, hear.

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

Eileen Flynn: This is probably the hardest committee that I have had to sit on since coming into the role of Senator. Until Deputy Ó Ríordáin spoke I was thinking that this conversation was based on white and middle-class students with opportunities. The education system does not have equal access for all students, and that must be our starting point here today. In 2011 and 2012 when I...

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

Eileen Flynn: I want to be clear that every single child, no matter what their background or class, deserves equal access to education. I will never say that I want to put upper-class people down or anything of the sort. It is actually about giving all the children a hand up. That is something I say a lot in having that equal access. It is good that schools and the education system around teacher...

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

Eileen Flynn: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing time with Senator Ruane. I am delighted with the work that has been achieved in respect of the Bill thus far. The phrase "child pornography" has always made me feel uneasy, but since becoming a mother I have realised how inappropriate and disgusting it is. It is out of date and completely incorrect. It does not truly reflect...

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

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I thank him for highlighting some of the issues that his Department believes will arise. I was delighted to hear from Senator Ward who has experience in this field and rightly said that the courts 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...

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

Eileen Flynn: Next Tuesday.

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

Eileen Flynn: I am attending on behalf of Senator Alice-Mary Higgins. I thank the witnesses for appearing before us. Listening to Ms Dennehy really opened my eyes to the little things we take for granted on a daily basis. I heard the figure of 40 people. For me, that is 40 people too many living in inequality due to disability needs. I would not use the word "easier" but the State could put something...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Eileen Flynn: We support the call for the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to come into the House to have a debate about where we are on ending direct provision. Too often I come into this House and speak about the people we are leaving behind. On 28 February we are leaving behind our most vulnerable people. We are leaving behind people in our society with long-term health issues and who will now be living in...