Results 1-12 of 12 for other and baby speaker:Mark Ward

Joint Committee On Health: Dual Diagnosis and Mental Health: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: ...Murchú in before me. I like skipping Deputy Ó Murchú, of all people. This meeting has been fascinating. It has been so valuable for me to listen to this. I was talking to the panel privately and I learn by listening. That is why at this meeting I usually stay for the whole lot of it. I usually try and box-off any other commitments I have so that I can be here. My...

Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Motion (21 Feb 2023)

Mark Ward: I welcome that progress has been made on the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use. Sinn Féin has been calling for this for the past four years or more. I am from an area of high disadvantage and have seen the devastation drugs have inflicted on my area since I was a child. I have lived in a community that has seen intergenerational addiction and trauma within families. When I say "high...

National Maternity Services: Motion [Private Members] (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: ...start off by talking about the legacy of mistrust in respect of religious orders having any connection with women's healthcare. I want to talk about the historical abuse suffered by women at the hands of religious orders. I also want to talk about the connection between church and State that led to this abuse of power. I am a member of the Committee on Children, Equality, Disability,...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Institutional Burials Bill 2022: Committee Stage (3 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I move amendment No. 44: In page 30, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: "(b) a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church,". These amendments seek to ensure the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church are included as information sources, given the central role they played in the mother and baby homes. Amendment No. 48 further seeks to include any possible...

Women's Health Action Plan: Statements (31 Mar 2022)

Mark Ward: ...the opportunity to contribute on the women's health action plan. I also welcome the plan but it does not go far enough. I will focus my contribution on two areas; perinatal mental health services and eating disorders. Depression during pregnancy is prevalent and a specialist perinatal mental health service is needed. There is currently no mother and baby unit, North or South, on the...

Institutional Burials Bill 2022: Second Stage (2 Mar 2022)

Mark Ward: As the Minister was delivering his opening statement, I was thinking of some of the interactions I have had with him on other Bills in the past when my knuckles turned white with anger - not directed at the Minister but for the sake of the women and children who suffered in these mother and baby homes. It is refreshing to see some movement on this Bill. It is welcome. The Minister and...

Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2022)

Mark Ward: The history of access to information for adopted people in Ireland has been fraught over decades with inaction and indecision. This has ultimately resulted in no clear legislative framework for adopted people seeking information about their past and accessing their birth and early life information files. I listened to the Minister's opening remarks last night and it was like a box set of...

Farrelly Commission of Investigation Substantive Interim Reports: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Mark Ward: This State has a dark history of neglect and abuse of some of the most vulnerable in society. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with my colleague, Deputy Funchion, and in my short time as a member, I have heard heartbreaking testimony from those affected by mother and baby homes and the real-life stories of those who have been...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: General Scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2021)

Mark Ward: I am in Leinster House. I thank the Minister and his staff for taking the time to meet us today and for the engagement. It is welcome. As previously mentioned, this is a tough, emotional and sensitive process for everyone involved, mothers and adopted persons. The Minister and previous speakers referred to counselling supports for those who want them. This is an important issue. Will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: General Scheme of a Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill: Discussion (14 Apr 2021)

Mark Ward: ...to documents. We saw how public confidence was absolutely rocked when this came up in the recent past. As mentioned in the statement, the proposed Bill provides for the sealing of documents and records for a period of 30 years. Access to this information is of the utmost importance, as has been said, and has taken on particular significance in the context of justice for the survivors of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Sustainable Development Goals and Departmental Priorities: Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (3 Nov 2020)

Mark Ward: I thank the Minister. I will allow him time to revert to me at the end of my couple of minutes. I thank him for outlining his priorities and I look forward to discussing them over time, but, probably like everybody else here, I want to discuss the issue of the mother and baby homes that arose in the past couple of weeks. I acknowledge all the people who contacted me and, I am sure, other...