Results 1-20 of 98 for speaker:Sarah O'Reilly

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: On 30 June, the Irish Independent published the result of its investigation into the regulation of how sick certs are issued. There are serious limitations to telemedicine and areas where it can be exploited. The newspaper revealed that in some cases sick certs were issued without having any phone or video consultation with the patient. It has correctly been described as a bit of a wild...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motions (3 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister. Reading through the proposed motions, the first thing that struck me was that we could have been doing this all along ourselves and, indeed, we have been doing it to an extent. Ireland should not have opted into the EU migration pact when we have the full capability to govern and legislate on migration ourselves. Now, we find ourselves in the scenario where we will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I wish to express my deep concern over the European Union's attempts to enforce hate speech legislation on Ireland, legislation that would undermine our national sovereignty, erode free expression and impose a one-size-fits-all model out of step with our Constitution. Before the general election, the Government suddenly recognised its lack of popularity among the general public and removed...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I welcome Deputy Dooley’s new Ministry and wish him the best of luck in his work. There is much to be done. The marine sector in this country has faced unbelievable challenges in recent years. Many of these hardships have been the direct result of Government policy and legislation and the implementation and interpretation of those policies and that legislation. Ongoing...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: The penalty points. We are an outlier in Europe.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I support the Bill and the amendment. I commend Senator Ryan on her powerful testimony. The report from Women's Aid makes for difficult reading. More women contacted the organisation last year than ever before. I have been reading the details of the report and they are shocking. I agree with this amendment in that if children are present that factor should be considered when the sentence...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Sarah Montgomery. I cannot imagine the hurt and grief they are experiencing. To think of a young pregnant mother being killed in her own home is deeply upsetting. According to Women’s Aid, more than one in three women have experienced psychological, physical or sexual abuse, or all of these, from an intimate partner. Domestic, sexual...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: It is great to see all the witnesses here today. Like Deputy Whitmore, I am new to this and I had to do a good bit of research. I read all the witnesses' documentation and submissions yesterday. There are a few very clear themes coming through. There seems to be a deeply held belief that the oversight and regulation is not proportional. The Seafood Ireland Alliance in its submission...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: In his opening statement, Mr. Lynch said, "Ireland has chosen to put in place legislation that goes far beyond what is in other member states". I want clarity on that because there is a bit of confusion. Is it the legislation or is it the way it is being interpreted? Is it both? I do not understand. If we are the only country in Europe that has penalty points, has that been legislated for?

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Would Mr. Byrne have any proposed amendments?

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I am going to give an example. In the case of, say, a 7g area where somebody might fish for monkfish, would Mr. Byrne generally accept that it is impossible to fish in that area without catching other fish, such as black sole? What can be done? What would Mr. Byrne propose to stop fishermen getting into hassle for catching something? It is never not going to happen.

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: How many proceedings are before the criminal court at the moment?

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

Sarah O'Reilly: I second the Senator's proposal. I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, that implementation of the national dementia registry is to commence. Organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, ASI, have lobbied for it for a long time. The ASI is a brilliant organisation doing great work. It has the voice of people with dementia and those who care...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I want to speak today about the fact that the upgrades to the A5 road, which links Derry with Aughnacloy in County Tyrone, have effectively been cancelled. The project has been quashed by the Belfast High Court as it was in breach of elements of the climate action Act. This is a devastating result for the 57 families who have lost loved ones on a road that we all know to be unsafe. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I want to raise the issue of foster children and the back-to-school allowance. This has been publicised by the Government as a new support for foster children but it has been very disappointing for families to learn it will be means tested. It is concerning that this long overdue step will come with conditions attached and will not be universally applied to all foster children. This will...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (19 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: There is no choice but to support this Bill because the Government is aware that many in the Opposition have been calling for an extension to the rent pressure zones for years. However, this legislation is ill thought-out. The reality is that the Government is not being forthcoming in terms of how badly it will impact renters. Rents will rise and extra pressure will be put on renters....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Last night, the Dáil debated the Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. It was presented as providing for a fair and proportional increase in property tax ahead of the November revaluation. We have to be honest that the tax is fundamentally unjust. It punishes working families, older people and rural homeowners simply for having a roof over their heads....

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister for coming in. I commend her colleague, Deputy John McGuinness, on all the brilliant detective work he has done over the years on this issue and on his determination to seek justice for Grace. I am gutted that justice has not been served. In this country we are very good at looking back at historical abuse but one area the State has failed to examine is abuse in the...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic. I want to speak on my amendment No. 2, which has been seconded by Senators Keogan and McCarthy. With looming threats of tariffs to our economy, we need economic resilience. Now would be an opportune time for the Government to invest more in local and indigenous businesses. We...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 2: After the last paragraph under "calls on the Government to:" to insert the following paragraph: “ - develop a funding stream to allow local authorities to deliver fully serviced sites to stimulate local, indigenous enterprise.”