Results 1-20 of 248 for speaker:Alison Comyn

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach agus an Aire Stáit. I thank the Minister of State for coming in to listen to this today. As someone born and raised in Drogheda, I speak not only as a Senator here today but as a proud daughter of a place that has outgrown the soubriquet of Ireland's largest town and now needs to be made Ireland's next city.For far too long...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the Minister of State for that response, even if it is not exactly the one I was looking for. At the same time this is a wider discussion that needs to be had. We know that it will take legislation and the Minister of State mentioned some of the precedents with Limerick City and County Council and Cork City Council, and Dublin County Council being divided into the three local...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: If you will indulge me, I will use my time to pay tribute to a member of the Fianna Fáil family in County Louth who we lost in recent weeks. It was only at the end of September that I paid tribute to the late Kevin Geraghty, a real stalwart of Fianna Fáil in Collon in County Louth, and yet only two short weeks later, his family lost his beloved wife, Maura. They were a coalition...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Healthcare Provision: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the witnesses very much for coming here today. I have read their reports. They are full of useful information. As a Senator based in County Louth – a Border region – it is difficult for me to know whether it is a great thing or not for the rest of the country because I realise there is a little more reliance on cross-Border healthcare from the likes of some of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Healthcare Provision: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: Professor Heenan mentioned mental health issues, particularly women’s mental health issues. I mentioned maternity. Professor Heenan is right. There is a broader strategy in this. There are the likes of endometriosis, fertility treatments and all of those. They should be put into some sort of a cross-Border strategy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Healthcare Provision: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: An issue I found myself was with HRT when I availed of cross-Border surgery through the great scheme we have with the Kingsbridge hospital. However, as a HRT user, it never arose that I would have to stop taking my HRT because of UK policies. Obviously, none of us wants to be plunged into menopause during surgery as well and that is what happens. Are there any plans for a national...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Healthcare Provision: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: It seems to be one of those where you only find out about it as it is happening, but that was two years ago and there is still nothing happening. I cannot have been the only person who was affected by that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Integration of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association with the GAA: Gaelic Players Association (15 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the witnesses for coming in. I echo the comments of my colleague. They have not only provided great entertainment for everybody through their talents, but they have also provided leadership. Their report is excellent. I am wearing red today. It is not just a coincidence. It is serendipitous that I am a Louth-based Senator. We are doing incredibly well. The lads have done well...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Integration of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association with the GAA: Gaelic Players Association (15 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I could not agree more. UK research released yesterday showed that young girls and women who played a sport after school had a much greater chance of entering careers at a higher level and also reaching board level. There is a great correlation there between the two of those. How can this merger improve the participation pathway for girls and women into Gaelic games?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Integration of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association with the GAA: Gaelic Players Association (15 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: There is not a lot of time but I am really excited about this merger. Hopefully, it will have the knock-on effect of nurturing and keeping young girls in sport. I have a daughter who played hockey. It is really hard once they hit 14 or 15 to try to keep them in a sport. That is what this needs to focus on. I wish those involved the best of luck. I hope to see no more young players...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Dental Services (14 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I want to raise a matter of real concern which may never cross most people's radars: the serious lack of access to dental care and surgery for people with disabilities, wheelchair users and those with significant challenges. The issue is not theoretical. In recent weeks I spoke to a constituent of mine who uses a wheelchair and has been waiting over 18 months for essential dental surgery....

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Dental Services (14 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the Minister of State for her detailed response. It is good to see that it is being noted and looked at, and that there is provision. From my point of view, I hear from people who are suffering and have been for the past couple of years. What can happen in an implementation plan is different from what is on the ground. The idea of it being prevention focused - on the root cause,...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Dental Services (14 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: To reiterate, I really appreciate the Minister of State taking the time with regard to the national oral health policy. I will be keeping a close eye-----

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Dental Services (14 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: Gabhaim buíochas leat.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: May I add my condolences to my colleague, Senator Teresa Costello, on the loss of her father. When I was driving up from Drogheda today I heard the really sad news that the Dunnes Stores premises on West Street, Drogheda's main street, is to close in a matter of weeks. I am not certain if there will be job losses or whether people will be redeployed, but it will be devastating for those...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: Before I begin this morning, I have just noticed that my Seanad colleague, Senator Andrews, has walked back into the Chamber. It is good to see him back safe and sound.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I genuinely hope that today is the day we see a permanent and lasting ceasefire, an end to the genocide, and a return of all the hostages to their families. Closer to home, the buzzword at the moment is "living experience". I would like to speak on behalf of my two children. We have all gone through a journey of travelling from Drogheda in County Louth to UCD for the last four years....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: On this budget day, I warmly welcome some great news for Drogheda and Dundalk in Louth. They are both being included in the regional centre scheme under the national planning framework. What this means is they will be included in the living city initiative. This is something I and others have lobbied for for a long time. What will it mean? I have seen it described as a carrot and stick,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: May I also add my herzliche wilkommen to our German ambassador and also wish him alles gute zum Tag der Deutschen Einheit. I utterly condemn what is happening to the global aid flotilla. It is an outrage. Like everybody else here, I wish for the safe return of all of the participants, particularly Irish citizens and especially my colleague and friend, Senator Chris Andrews. I hope we have...

Seanad: Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Alison Comyn: I wholeheartedly support everything my colleague Senator O'Loughlin has said and, I have no doubt, what will be said today in the House by Members of all parties and none. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. Earlier, I spoke about this matter. I am encouraged that this is being taken very seriously by everybody. What has happened over the past 24 hours is atrocious in...