Results 1-20 of 338 for speaker:Patricia Stephenson

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025: Second Stage (22 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to speak about the first Bill I have introduced in the Seanad. I welcome to the Gallery colleagues from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Safe Ireland and Women's Aid, who have expressed their support for the Bill. It is a modest but vital proposal rooted in one simple idea, namely, that freedom of movement can mean freedom from...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025: Second Stage (22 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: This is the first time that I and the Minister have spoken. He said that we have not worked together before. I welcome his positive words about the Bill. I understand that he has a commitment and a desire to pass this. However, with all due respect, this is not just about his Department. This is something that has happened across the board with all different types of Bills. Passing this...

Seanad: Cost of Childcare: Motion (21 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: In the most recent general election Fine Gael promised to cap childcare costs at €200 per month per child, and it would do that within 100 days of the new Government. It also promised to create 30,000 new early learning places. It was a commitment made in a manifesto that I am sure was widely read by parents across the country. I can only imagine that now, two weeks after the...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Over the past few days we have heard from the Taoiseach that the inclusion of services in the occupied territories Bill is not implementable. This is completely at odds with the recommendation of the foreign affairs committee, which unanimously agreed, on a cross- party basis, on the inclusion of services. Could the Taoiseach please be frank about what aspects of services he specifically...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the witnesses for giving their testimonies of the abuse in their communities. It is important to stress that what human rights defenders are doing in Guatemala and other parts of the world in defence of the climate is something that benefits all of us. The witnesses are at the front line of that. I recognise that the Irish Government has been funding, through partners like...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Before Ms Ramona Margarita Domingo Díaz comes in, does Dr. O'Connell believe that Ireland is a country that promotes human rights and environmental protections? Have we taken a strong enough stance thus far when it has come to the treaty negotiations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Up to this point, Ireland has not made a public statement or done any explicit support for this treaty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: We heard how awful the situation is and of the over-reach and human rights violations of these transnational companies and the impact of their development agenda in the witnesses' countries. It would be interesting to hear from the witnesses what they think, and if it is indeed possible, to do the work they do with their communities in a positive way. They have spoken about free, informed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: We obviously have our own history in Ireland in terms of conflict and peace deals, albeit nothing on the scale of what is happening in Ukraine. A huge role was played by civil society groups in Northern Ireland in engaging in peace discussions. The Ukrainian Government and civil society in Ukraine have often been excluded from discussions about a peace agreement and what long-term peace...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Absolutely. I imagine that even the term "reconciliation" is really difficult to envisage when the conflict is active.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Ms Gerasko spoke briefly about the Ukrainian children who were abducted and kidnapped. There is a whole piece there in terms of supporting their reintegration into their communities. I do not know if some of them have returned. What role could Ireland play in that? Senator Ahearn asked how many Ukrainians are in Ireland. I am trying to think of practical things Ireland can do in terms...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the ambassador.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that No.11 to be taken before No. 1, referring to the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025. This Bill seeks to provide a three-month free travel pass to survivors of domestic violence. Today, I want to talk about the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, which is really welcome news after the two years of horror we have had....

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025: First Stage (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a free travel scheme for victims fleeing domestic violence; and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025: First Stage (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Support for Ukraine: Motion (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I move amendment No. 1: After “recognises that:” to insert the following paragraph: “- Ireland has a role as a historic leader in peace, with our credibility as peace leaders grounded in Ireland’s neutrality;"

Seanad: Support for Ukraine: Motion (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I acknowledge the ambassador and deputy ambassador and thank them for coming to the foreign affairs committee today, and to the Ukrainians we have visiting the Chamber. I reaffirm my commitment, our commitment as a Chamber and our solidarity with the Ukrainian people who have suffered horrendous conditions and human rights abuses for the past...

Seanad: Support for Ukraine: Motion (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I move amendment No. 2: To delete the first paragraph under “acknowledges that:” and substitute the following: “- Ireland, as part of the international community committed to international law, will continue to support and stand in solidarity with Ukraine;”

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I am sorry I missed the questions and answers as I was in the Chamber for something else so apologies if some of my questions have already been answered. Ireland will hold the Presidency of the European Council in coming months. In her opening statement Ms Gerasko spoke a lot about the challenges with energy and energy infrastructure. Ireland has made a contribution but obviously we...