Results 41-60 of 932,577 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Frank Feighan) in 'Committee meetings'

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. It goes without saying that we should never be content to live in a country where people do not feel safe to be themselves. Unfortunately, in the past this country was not a safe place for many people. It is time to not only recognise that, but actively ensure this country will never be like that again....

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies who contributed. I am making these closing remarks on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, who has other commitments this evening. I take on board the points raised by the Deputies. There were many similar themes relating to the ongoing, unfortunate challenges in terms of discrimination, especially those affecting the trans community, including recent debates...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill: I am glad to have the good fortune to be able to speak in the Dáil about LGBTQI+ and equality today. We discuss this today from a really positive baseline, in an Ireland that has evolved and developed, moving from intolerance and exclusion to something quite different. We are moving towards real inclusion. A gentleman I particularly want to remember today is my husband’s...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Cormac Devlin: I concur with Deputy Durkan on his remarks about hatred in particular. Unfortunately, we have seen too much of that, particularly in the recent past. I welcome the opportunity to discuss and debate the Government’s progress on supporting the LGBTQI+ community in Ireland. This debate is particularly timely during Pride month. I look forward along with other Members of this House to...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Martin Browne: I assure Deputy Durkan that I cannot imagine anybody falling out with him or hating him. He is a likeable fellow. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, on being here for the discussion. Too many times, Ministers do not appear for debates. In light of recent events, it is important to discuss and air our views on equality, inclusion and diversity. Where equality, inclusion...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I am glad to have the opportunity to say a few words on this important subject. Two or three things need to be borne in mind. The LGBT community deserves to be recognised and protected. Them being different is not a reason for hatred or to generate hatred, but to be able to go about their lives the same as everybody else. It is in respect of this that I want to say a couple of words. ...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am delighted that the Government is committed achieving its vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland, where people are supported to flourish and live inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives, whatever their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. There are many issues that prevent LGBTQI+ people from achieving their full potential in Irish society, which of a structural...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Réada Cronin: Equality, inclusion and diversity are three things that should be central to any and every republican who wishes to build and live in a real republic. Together, we took a leap of love in the marriage referendum in May 2015. We kept faith with our brothers and sisters, our aunties and uncles, our friends and neighbours, our political comrades and our political rivals. As we descended on the...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Paul Murphy: There is a very particular context and backdrop to the discussion we are having here on LGBTQI+ rights and Pride. That is the fact that one of the most marginalised and oppressed sections of the LGBTQ community has been subjected to the most appalling, unjustified and untruthful attacks over three days on our national, publicly owned broadcaster, RTÉ, for which we all pay through our...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I do not want to interfere in this debate, but it is not appropriate to make reference to somebody who is readily identifiable or make any sort of charges against that person when they are not here to defend themselves. I ask the Deputy to desist from that, please.

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Paul Murphy: Okay. What I would encourage people to do is read a really excellent article which was put up online yesterday or the day before an incredible activist called Izzy Kamikaze. It is on the Beacon website. Izzy investigated what happened and wrote this revealing piece about the background to the particular witch hunt on that programme against trans people. She shows quite clearly how pretty...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Louise O'Reilly: I start by expressing solidarity with our trans siblings. They were there for us during the campaign to repeal the eighth amendment and it would be absolutely wrong for us not to all come together today and express that solidarity. I would have thought at this point in proceedings I would be relatively unshockable but I have been quite shocked at the outpouring of hate against a small...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Emer Higgins: I commend the previous speaker, who is on my housing committee and with whom I work closely, on a very open and frank contribution here today. I am delighted to be speaking on this important topic today. I will start by wishing a happy Pride month to everybody and especially to all those who are preparing to celebrate this weekend. I always love attending the Pride parade in Dublin and...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Chris Andrews: I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak ahead of what will be a great Pride march on Saturday. It is always a great event. It is very positive. It makes people feel good and feel happy. There is a real sense of solidarity on the march. Pride month has many great events. Last week I was at one, the Pride dog show, in the Cabbage Garden off Kevin Street. It was a fantastic event...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Cian O'Callaghan: I welcome that these statements are taking place. It is more than 25 years since I attended my first Pride march. It was 26 years ago, which is hard for me to believe in many ways. Much has changed in Irish society since then and much has changed for LGBTQI+ people. That said, while some things have changed massively for us, some things have remained quite the same. The Pride march has...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I start this contribution by saying that I fully agree with the points raised by Deputy Ó Ríordáin on the need to tackle this issue within our schools and in respect of employment equality. I have known teaching colleagues during my career who have not felt that that they could be open about their own identity. This is certainly something that needs to be addressed. I...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I was really uplifted by the Minister's remarks and his contribution to the debate. As has been said, debates in this House can often be quite negative and a lot of points can be scored, but the Minister's contribution has challenged us all to point to positives. We can point to a lot of negatives. We have to do that and to point to challenges. Only two weeks ago, however, I brought my...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Martin Kenny: I am also glad to be here today to speak on the issue of equality for everyone in our society. I wish the Minister and everyone else in our communities a happy and joyous Pride week. The Minister touched on many issues in his opening remarks, with which I concur. As someone who grew up in a very rural part of Ireland, the advancement we have seen in the past ten years, and in particular...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Paul Donnelly: The Minister is very welcome. I listened to his speech in my office. There are so many positive things coming from the Minister and Government in terms of the LGBTQI+ community. I wish to start by wishing everybody who takes part in the parade on Saturday the very best. I hope the weather stays fine. Unfortunately, I heard the dress code will be raincoat and wellies. We hope the weather...

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements (23 Jun 2022)

Kathleen Funchion: I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak about equality and how it impacts on the LGBTI+ community. As the Minister said, we wish everyone a happy Pride. What is really good this year, and especially on a day like today, when it is so sunny, is that we finally have an event that is back to being held in person this weekend. To everybody taking part, my colleagues will be out in...