Results 1-20 of 1,857 for speaker:Chris Andrews

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: Most of us at this point would be familiar with the contractual issue affecting Oireachtas broadcasting workers. These workers are getting a fraction of the pay of similarly qualified workers elsewhere in the industry and are denied permanent contracts that would give them the rights they are due. At present, they are forced to find additional employment or rely on social welfare to make...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: Screening for the Israeli military.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Military Aircraft (11 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: Late last year, it was announced that the State would be purchasing four German-built multi-use Airbus helicopters for use by the Defence Forces at a cost of €92 million. In January, The Journal reported that these helicopters contained flight system components manufactured by the Israeli arms company, Elbit Systems, despite the Government stating at an earlier stage that its position...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Military Aircraft (11 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State. The first half of that reply was exactly the same as the reply I got to a parliamentary question. There was nothing new in it. The Minister of State did not confirm whether the helicopters purchased would have Israeli components in them. I did not hear that. The whole thing is very vague. It is couched in language that is open, yet it is not clear to me....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I have been contacted a lot by family and friends of Nicola Fox. Nicola Fox is an Irish mother who was jailed in England for a month and whose term was recently extended for another five months. Nicola is an Irish citizen. Her crime was trying to bring her son Harry home. She has had supervised access to her son once every two weeks. She has been very vocal and outspoken, which seems to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I raise a shocking and distressing case affecting a young man from south County Dublin, Robert Brady, and how he has been completely failed by our mental health and disability services. It is horrendous listening to the catalogue of failures he has faced. Robert first showed signs of psychosis in 2019 when he was in secondary school. His family sought help from the State but were told that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I have, obviously, been given permission. On his 18th birthday, Robert was abruptly moved to an adult psychiatric unit, an entirely unsuitable environment for his needs. His condition has progressively become worse within this facility which has been unable to provide the 24-hour, high-level care he needs. Robert remains in this psychiatric unit today, has been...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza: Statements (29 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: Last night, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael showed their true colours when it comes to Gaza and genocide. The Tánaiste stands up in front of this House, or on TikTok, to talk about how much he cares about the Palestinian people and how he hopes someone should do something to help them. The Tánaiste speaks about his Government, how it is so committed to Palestine and how it is, in...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza: Statements (29 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I worry about the kids. Some of them may have been killed since then.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I raise the institutional betrayal of Ireland's vulnerable children. I wish to address one of the most shameful failures of our State, which is the ongoing betrayal of the survivors of abuse in St. John Ambulance and the disgraceful response from those entrusted with protecting them. We are here because of the immense courage of Mick Finnegan and other survivors who came forward to expose...

Seanad: Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I welcome this important Bill. If enacted, it would make a huge difference throughout the country. It is disappointing that it will be kicked down the road for 12 months. Any issues I have heard being raised here could be addressed on Committee Stage. Why not let it go through the process and iron out the creases? That is what we are supposed to be doing. Instead, the Government is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: Today we had a very strong dog welfare presentation in the audiovisual room. I thank everybody who came to it. I thank Working Animal Guardians, Greyhound Action Ireland, Greyhound Awareness Cork and Ban Bloodsports, who all attended and were part of the presentation. Working Animal Guardians, WAG, and five other groups took a judicial review against the Government to have an appeals...

Seanad: Local Democracy Task Force: Statements (27 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and I wish him well in his job. I have not seen him since his appointment. It is in everyone’s interest that he is successful. I have a couple of observations. I agree with Senator Fitzpatrick that councillors are on the front line. They have their fingers on the pulse of various events and issues that flare up in every...

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Election of Temporary Chairman (27 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I propose Deputy Dolan.

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (27 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: Yes, that is fine.

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (27 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I have no problem with that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: The British establishment is complicit in genocide in Gaza. It funds genocide in Gaza. It supports genocide in Gaza. The same British establishment has now charged a young Irishman in his 20s from west Belfast of a terror charge for waving a flag. It is bizarre and it is political policing. It is trying to silence Kneecap. Kneecap are not the story; genocide in Gaza is the story. We...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the campaign of 14-year-old Cara Darmody, campaigning for improvement in the waiting list for assessment of needs. A total of 15,000 families are now waiting on an assessment of need. It is completely unacceptable, and I find it really difficult to listen to Government party Senators telling Cara how wonderful she is when it has been under their Government that the waiting...

Seanad: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Second Stage (21 May 2025)

Chris Andrews: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will share my time with Senator Maria McCormack. I thank the Minister for coming in. Before I begin, I will acknowledge the absolutely Trojan work done by IHREC, the #AddThe10th Alliance, ATD Ireland, EAPN Ireland and the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, whose representatives are here with us today watching proceedings....