Results 901-920 of 1,195 for speaker:Erin McGreehan

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: General Scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I thank the witnesses. It is lovely to hear from them. I apologise for missing parts of the contributions because I had to attend other meetings. For me there are more questions for the Department and not for the witnesses. They all have articulated so well the challenges, to say the least, with the legislation and the amount of work we as a committee must do to advocate for change on so...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: General Scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: This innocent person here was hoping the Bill would be an answer to empowerment but people could be disempowered by a lack of awareness because they do not know what is going on. They could fall through some cracks. That brings me on to a question to Mr. Dunne and whoever wanted to answer. The State might not be ready with all the decision-making representatives, procedures and processes...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: General Scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I will follow up very briefly with Mr. Kearns to ask a question on that. It is lovely to see him again. If we do not facilitate and work on this will and preference attitude, as opposed to best interest, are we in danger of legislating for a medical model as opposed to the social model? If we are not putting front and centre the message that it is will and preference, not best interest,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I did not get a chance to speak in the debate on the matter on Tuesday, but I wish to highlight and congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the new scheme permitting the planting of up to 1 ha of native Irish trees without a licence. Anyone who knows me is aware of my absolute grá for native Irish trees. This is the month of the rowan tree - the mountain ash -...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD: Discussion (10 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: It was very enjoyable to listen to everyone’s contributions and answers. We come here every Thursday morning and we are both uplifted and depressed, but we always leave the room with determination to do what we need to do for people with disabilities to make sure they take part in whatever they want to take part in. I thank Mr. Kelly for being so honest in his contribution. I hear...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Strategies (9 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is very welcome to the Seanad. I am looking for an update on the work and actions of the transport working group under the national disability inclusion strategy. How is the group working? How is the Minister of State bringing together all the relevant Departments and stakeholders in order to make real changes, including making disability proofing of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Strategies (9 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: It is refreshing to see and hear about the work that is going on and the positive actions being taken. It is also refreshing to hear that it is a case of nothing about us without us, and that the people at the table know what they are talking about as it is their lived experience and they know the barriers because they face them day in, day out. Another issue is the report from the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I stand to congratulate the Government on the national retrofit plan. The funding for the plan is unprecedented. It is fantastic that we are being proactive in improving people's homes, making them warmer, better, far more efficient and cheaper to run. I worked in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in Dundalk years ago. I have since been interested in, and have worked on, a...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: This is a good and positive day for everyone in Ireland. It was wrong that stalking was not part of our legislation. Women like Eve McDowell, Una Ring and all the other victims have been pushing for this legislation. Thankfully, our colleague Senator Chambers took up that mantle and brought this Bill to the House. The rarity of a Bill from the Seanad being brought through by a Member of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I congratulate "RTÉ Investigates" on last night's heart-wrenching and infuriating programme on domestic violence. I say "infuriating" because there are so few practical supports for people who suffer from domestic violence. We cannot stand in this Chamber any longer and allow this gender-based violence to continue and increase. This morning, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I wish to highlight my huge concerns regarding the actions of the Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, agriculture minister. It is very concerning that he would go on a solo run to obstruct, increase tensions and order workers at ports to break the law and cease checks that were put in place by an international agreement passed by both parties to that agreement, namely, the UK Government and the...

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

Erin McGreehan: I wish everybody a good morning. It is good to see them all here this morning. I have two questions that I will go straight into because I want to hear as much from our guests as possible. Ms Cassidy mentioned in her statement the acknowledged and unacknowledged thalidomide survivors. I would like to know a little more about the practical consequences that has for the survivors. My...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Rights of the Child in respect of Domestic and International Surrogacy: Discussion (1 Feb 2022)

Erin McGreehan: It is great to hear from all the delegates. It is very appropriate that we have them here on St. Brigid's Day considering St. Brigid's really strong connections with fertility and new life and her perception of children. This whole conversation embodies what St. Brigid means to me. Regardless of how a child comes into this world or is carried, it is an absolute miracle. We need to grab...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I thank the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, and the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Heather Humphreys, for renewing their annual call for people to protect lambs and sheep from dog attacks, especially during lambing season. As someone from a farming community and a sheep farmer, I know the damage that dogs can do to pregnant...

Seanad: Violence Against Women: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Erin McGreehan: The Minister is very welcome back to the Chamber for this debate on another important issue. I thank her for accepting the anti-stalking Bill that was brought through the House in the previous session. This is no country for women, and that is shameful. I find it hard to have these contradictions in my head and heart. I love this country. I am so proud to be Irish, and to be living in a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I raise the question of trust in the HSE as an organisation and in medical procedures and practitioners. What happened with CAMHS in south Kerry was disgraceful. I will not say much about that or the 40 or so families who may bring legal cases. However, I would like a debate from the Minister for Health on how he proposes to ensure that the HSE has proper structures for complaints in order...

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I welcome the Minister to the Seanad. I congratulate Senator Chambers on her stellar work as Chair of this committee. I was not a member of the committee, but as someone who lives in the Border area, I took great interest in its workings. The report is an excellent report which should be read by those in the shared island unit and by all those living here who have an interest in the future...

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to speak. I do not have a whole pile to say on this other than to congratulate my colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, on bringing forward this important legislation. As a councillor and active citizen in my community, I have wanted this type of legislation brought forward for a long time. I live in probably the most beautiful part...

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

Erin McGreehan: I want to request a debate on special needs assistants, SNAs, within our schools. The Leader will be aware that there are approximately 18,000 SNAs working within our school communities and looking after our children. I would like a debate primarily on the Department's plans for the future of SNAs within our schools and on how we go about looking after them and protecting their contracts.It...

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Erin McGreehan: I welcome the Minister to the Seanad. It is always great to have an opportunity to speak about agriculture and climate change in this Chamber. As the Minister well knows, I am passionate about our indigenous industry. Agriculture is who I am, how I was reared, how I rear my children and part of my daily life. The Minister highlighted his commitment to his brief and to his community. He...