Results 21-33 of 33 for speaker:Nicole Ryan

Seanad: International Women's Day - Women's Health: Statements (5 Mar 2025)

Nicole Ryan: As a woman, I have experienced at first-hand the shortcomings of our medical system, as have so many female Members. One of the glaring issues is the overreliance on the contraceptive pill as a default treatment for women's health concerns. Instead of offering proper investigation, testing and a wide range of options for women, the pill is often handed out as a quick fix. Women are told to...

Seanad: Care, Supports and Enhanced Provision of Services for Older People: Motion (5 Mar 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I welcome the Minister of State. We are here to discuss the future of healthcare for older people, an issue that affects every family, every community and ultimately every one of us as we age. We support this motion and welcome any focus on the needs of older people in our healthcare system. However, supporting a motion does not mean we ignore the reality of the crisis at hand. There is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gaeltacht Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am really delighted he is including the likes of Údarás na Gaeltachta in the plan. Will the language testing mentioned make it more difficult for people who want to live in or move to a Gaeltacht area or who have lived there and who may not have the best of Irish to access it? As we all know, there is a housing crisis. If people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gaeltacht Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue, especially during Seachtain na Gaeilge. It is not just about planning or housing, but about Gaeltacht communities and the Irish language itself. Census data shows the number of daily Irish speakers in Gaeltachtaí has fallen from 69% in 2011 to 66% in 2022. This decline is not a coincidence. It has been directly linked to young people...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I raise an urgent issue that highlights the serious administration failures of the local authority purchase and renovation loan, LAPR. This scheme was announced last June and was intended to help families purchase and renovate their homes, especially where housing has been scarce. Eight months on, however, applicants are still facing delays, misinformation and uncertainty with no clear...

Seanad: Response to Storm Éowyn: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: It is lovely to have the Minister of State here. I will bring him back to the first week of January. In my constituency of Cork North-West, we were hit with snow, and we were one of the hardest areas that was hit. The roads were impassable and people were trapped in their homes. In Rockchapel, people had to melt snow for water. This continued for a week for them. Why is it that year...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I am sharing time with Senator Andrews.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: It is lovely to have the Minister here today. Good evening to him. Since we are talking about transport and transport infrastructure, I want to address a really urgent concern for the people of north Cork and Kerry, namely, the dangerous condition of the N72. I am talking particularly about the stretch between Cullen and Clonbanin. I have been contacted by numerous locals who have had...

Seanad: Community Safety: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: It is great to see the Minister back again. Community safety is a fundamental right. Too often we discuss crime and safety with the focus placed on urban areas. There is no doubt the cities face serious crime issues but the conversation cannot ignore rural Ireland, where crime, harassment and fear are just as real and sometimes more so given the lack of Garda presence and resources. For...

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

Nicole Ryan: I want to echo the sentiments of Senator McDowell and others in this House. For us, this is our first test of justice and fairness. We talk about this and we all work together but the system here right now is not just and fair. It is in favour of other people. I want to talk about this because I feel really strongly about it. For years and years, I have not seen someone who looks like me...

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on taking up her new position. I am delighted to hear she will be working with everyone on a cross-party basis. I welcome the Minister. I strongly support the EU–UK scheme. Naturally, there will be many benefits for Ireland. If we opt in, it will benefit the students of the UK equally. Travel and cultural exchanges enrich both sides. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Feb 2025)

Nicole Ryan: I request the Minister to come to the House to discuss and follow through on abolishing means testing for carers. During the election campaign, I met many carers in my area, as I am sure other Senators did. Care and social care professions predominantly involve females. I met people who were at their wits' end - they were in tears - because they could not make ends meet because of the...

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

Nicole Ryan: Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach on his appointment. It is an honour and a privilege to rise today in this Chamber and address Seanadóirí agus muintir na hÉireann as a newly elected Member of Seanad Éireann. I do so with immense gratitude to those who have placed their trust in me and a profound sense of duty to serve the people of Ireland and my area...