Results 1-20 of 1,101 for speaker:Eileen Flynn

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his new role and I look forward to working with him in the future. I am sorry; I am extremely nervous after hearing all the other speakers. I take this opportunity to thank the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, and Deputies Eamon Ryan and Leo Varadkar for my nomination to be the Traveller representative here today. For over 30 years Travellers have...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I echo what has already been said with regard to extending maternity leave by 12 weeks. I spoke to women over the weekend who are very stressed about going back to work and leaving their children in crèches due to the pandemic. I had a baby myself just nine months ago so I know the stresses involved, which may include postnatal depression. One does not just have a baby and go on with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his input to the House this morning. As he pointed out, it is Traveller Pride week and to mark the week we are celebrating diversity within and asking allies from the general population to also get involved in the two-week event that lasts until 24 July. As many Members of the House will be aware, during the term of the previous Government a great Oireachtas...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I second what has been said about having a debate next week, if possible, on education and children who may be left behind, including young children in direct provision, working class areas and the Traveller community. Such a debate is needed and next week would be a good time to have it. As a woman, I am privileged to stand here today and congratulate Deputy Catherine Connolly on her...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I am sharing time with Senator Higgins. I welcome the Minister to the House. We in the Civil Engagement Group support this Bill, although we feel it is a little rushed. I will make some points around the inequalities that still exist when it comes to health in Ireland today. I hope we will soon see the implementation of other vitally important elements of Sláintecare, including...

Seanad: Education: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I thank her very much for taking the time to listen to our concerns. In making my comments I draw on my personal experience as a Traveller who faced multiple barriers in getting an education that I deserved and to which I had a right. From coping with racism in the schoolyard and the classroom to never believing that my culture was acceptable in...

Seanad: Education: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: -----how our mainstream education system is built for a particular kind of pupil, who is mainly white, settled and middle-class, and that so much is taken for granted about their ability to participate. I also know the important role teachers play in listening to and caring for students and the value extra resources can provide in helping children reach their full potential and feel...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I echo what has been said about the third day of hunger strike for the people in direct provision. This is one example of people living in pure poverty in 2020 Ireland. It is clear that people living in direct provision do not want to be there and are getting treated horribly by the State and some in the communities around them. I, therefore, support the call for a debate on ending direct...

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister for taking the time to come to the Chamber and listen to the important points raised by Senators. I want to start by saying that people in direct provision are not just like us. In fact, they are far from like us because they are living in hell under this State. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve a roof over our heads, a place to call home and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Sep 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Minister for taking the time to come here and listen to our concerns about the Bill. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. If I had not learned the importance of these social connections from living in rural Ireland for the past two years, as a Traveller woman I would probably not be so supportive of the pubs reopening. Publicans are not always very nice to the Traveller...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I will address the rise of the far right. It is very rare that I would say I am afraid of anything but right now I am very afraid of the rise of the far right in Ireland. I hold great fear for the future if we do not stand together against hate and division. We do not have to agree on everything. We do not have to agree on economics and social policies.This threat should unify us as a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I am going to read from an email I received from Dr. Claire Dunne in respect of the 400 Welcomes campaign. It states: The people I care for have already lived through horrendous ill-treatment and war. They already had to deal with the awful conditions in the Moria camp, even before this recent tragedy. Now the Minister for children, Minister O'Gorman, is saying that just four children...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2020)

Eileen Flynn: The Civil Engagement Group is more than happy to support the motion on disability rights and service during Covid-19. This is a very emotional weekend for the Traveller community. Has Ireland forgotten the Carrickmines tragedy? Tara Gilbert, aged 27, Jimmy Lynch, aged 25, their daughters Jodie, aged nine, and Kelsey, aged four, died in the fire, as did Willy Lynch, aged 39, as well as...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister come into the House tomorrow to discuss Traveller accommodation.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I will withdraw the amendment and take the Leader at her word. To a certain extent, that is what politics is about - trust and working together. That is what I am looking to do. I thank the Leader. Next week would be perfect.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the healthcare workers who work in our healthcare system, including all the front-line workers, from the cleaners to the consultants.I thought of them very much this week. I also heard the shocking story this week of two women care workers who worked in a nursing home throughout the pandemic and have been denied leave to remain in Ireland. These...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades 2020 and Preparations for Leaving Certificate 2021: Department of Education (10 Nov 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Department representatives very much for coming in and presenting to us today. We have heard concerns about the calculated grades system from other members. I believe there were a few faults in the calculated grades system. It was done in a very short period of time and everybody was under pressure. As young people in working-class areas were able to reach their full potential,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Nov 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I support the call for a debate on fishing. Fishing is a very important part of life in rural Donegal and a very important way of making a living. A report this week showed the need for Government support to make sure all women have equal access to domestic violence services. A new report from Safe Ireland shows that approximately 3,450 women and 589 children contacted domestic violence...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (17 Nov 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank the Minister for State for taking the time to listen to Senators speak on accommodation issues that are impacting on the Traveller community. Many local authorities have failed to deliver appropriate cultural accommodation for the Traveller community. In Ireland we have our own humanitarian crisis, that is, the living conditions of the Traveller community...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Eileen Flynn: I have spoken once before in the House about the need for hate crime legislation and I welcome the opportunity to address this important subject again. I came into the Seanad with the hope that I would help break down barriers for the Traveller community and for all those on the edges of society. I believe inclusive and effective hate crime legislation must be part of this. I acknowledge...