Results 141-160 of 302 for at speaker:Eileen Flynn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Climate Crisis and Disability: Discussion (30 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: To be clear, I am not attacking the two people from the Department who are in the room. It would be unfair for me as a public representative to be attacking two individuals. That is not my case at all. Having the DPOs involved in these discussions is a step forward and we should look at some of the positive things. Unfortunately, there is much we need to do as a committee as well with the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I second Senator Higgins's amendment to the Order of Business. This morning, a Speak Out against Racism event was launched in the Leinster House audiovisual room. Young women, many of them students, spoke out on the impact of racism. Yesterday, I asked about the progress of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 but did not get a reply. I would...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: ...of online abuse to Members of both Houses. We still have not had a discussion about this. There is no solution for protecting Members and protecting people in general from online abuse and from hatred and discrimination. Senator Ruane and I had a conversation about six months ago. In this House and the Lower House Members can talk about and insult people and be racist, and they are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: ...are autistic. Much of the time we just think about the bricks, the mortar and the buildings, but one of my friends, Michael O'Flanagan, always says it is much more than just bricks and mortar. That is important to remember when we speak about universal design. Ms Tonge spoke about the costs. It can cost, for example, €500 to be diagnosed. That is the case for people with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: My proposal is very simple. I have just come from the Joint Committee on Disability Matters. I live in rural Ireland, in Ardara in County Donegal. We have a lovely playground. It has been well invested in and the council has done a good job with it. Unfortunately, there is no play space or even a swing for disabled children or children who are autistic. It is a conversation we all need...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Inadequate Personal Assistance Supports: Discussion (23 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I was once where Ms Gaynor and Mr. Kenny are now, that is, campaigning, lobbying, begging and pleading for basic human rights. As a member of the Traveller community, I know how exhausting it can be sitting around these tables and not feeling heard. Ms Gaynor said that she is sick and tired of what has been happening. Last May I attended the Independent Living Movement's #PASNOW...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: Yesterday was the international day against racism. A very rushed action plan against racism was launched. I thank the committee, which worked really hard on the plan to tackle racism within Irish society. I request that we have statements on the plan, because a lot of the time we have great plans but we do not have action. That is one point. This evening there will be a vote in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Self-advocacy and Women with Disabilities: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: Ms Coates is right that if you do not ask the question then the answer will always be "No", and if you do not challenge the system then you most definitely will not get what you want. It is a shame that in 2023 we are talking about equal access and asking for services to enable people to live an independent life, if possible. Yesterday, I gave a talk in the Seanad about how International...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Self-advocacy and Women with Disabilities: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I know Deputy Pringle is doing a lot of work at the moment to try to make sure the Brandon report is released. I thank Nem Kearns for that. We will try to include these recommendations in the report, but it is not about recommendations without actions. We need actions.

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (8 Mar 2023)

Eileen Flynn: International Women’s Day is not only a day of celebration but a day of action. If we are going to celebrate International Women’s Day it has to be a meaningful day for all women in Irish society. That means breaking down barriers that keep women from reaching their full potential in society. During my work as an activist I was taught to walk into a room or a building and ask...

Seanad: Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use: Motion (23 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I thank Senator Ruane for all the hard work she has done from day one since she has been elected to this House. On many occasions, Senator Ruane has come in here showing her passion about the real experience that you see in Tallaght that she went through as an individual. Senator Ruane has brought so much to this discussion, for example, the Bill that she brought forward in 2017. We must...

Seanad: Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use: Motion (23 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I move amendment No. 14: To delete the final bullet point under “notes that” and substitute the following: “- make payment to the members of the Citizens' Assembly and members of the Expert Advisory Group of a fair stipend commensurate with the time and energy dedicated by members of the Assembly and provide for an additional payment to fairly compensate those who...

Seanad: Accommodation for International Protection Applicants: Statements (22 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: As everyone is aware, I am a member of the Traveller community. I know exactly what it is like to be hated within Irish society. On social media, we see the burning of Traveller houses. We have seen it in counties Donegal and Galway for many years. There is no legislation in place that will protect vulnerable groups. What we should do first is prioritise positive policies and legislation...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Traveller Community (21 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister of State for being here. I am standing here again today to raise an important issue around the energy relief that was promised to us all. As we know, the electricity costs emergency benefits scheme that was first promised to us all last year was for the sum of €200 in 2022. This has been extended to €600 over 2022 and early this year. However, many...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Traveller Community (21 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. When this scheme was first rolled out, it did not include Traveller accommodation. That will have to be looked at going forward for other schemes. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, are committed to dealing with this issue. To the best of my...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: I welcome the Mica Action Group from Donegal to Leinster House. They will be in the audiovisual room at 4 p.m. All are welcome. The event will be hosted by Deputy Pringle and it will be an opportunity to hear the voices of the campaigners who deserve and should get 100% redress. Tomorrow at 11 a.m. a south Dublin mental health report will be launched about Travellers. Over the last two...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: ...I would be next. We talked about ethnic identifiers. I do not mean to sound disrespectful but, sometimes, people want to identity their disability and have it on record how they are being treated within the service. Many a time, people from ethnic minority groups, including members of the Traveller community and black people, believe it is important to have an ethnic identifier in every...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: Sorry, I think this is very important and is something the Department could look at because it would break down a lot. I worked in NGOs for many a year. Organisations have requested the identifier from members. It is something the Department could look at going forward. It breaks down how many people within the services are from minority groups so it is beneficial to the Department and to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: If they were to go to their aunty or uncle for a few weeks, the aunty or uncle is not entitled to carer's allowance for the child. It is pure discrimination. It is not used personally but we should look at a better way. Does Mr. Hession have any suggestions for the committee on what we could do to make it better? Sorry, Chair.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Feb 2023)

Eileen Flynn: It is time to have a debate or discussion on the homeless crisis and on the temporary accommodation we provide for single parents and children. I spoke in the House at the beginning of the week around people being evicted from hotels, from hubs and from bed and breakfast accommodation. This is a serious matter. I see it happening with people in the Traveller community, people from other...