Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Cathaoirelach in celebrating Croatia day today. Some 22,000 Croatians have moved to Ireland since Croatia joined the EU, and they have family beyond it. It is a good day for Ireland to celebrate with Croatians and to speak about the importance of the EU.

On a related matter, I was stunned and shocked at the assault on our Union when a flight was diverted. It is piracy in our skies. The statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs was very strong but I look forward to seeing what steps will be taken when the European Council meets today. That is essential. We joined the EU in order to have security and a common economic purpose. Part of that means protecting our airlines because people need to feel secure when they step onto an aircraft. We also need to feel safe in our homes and our home is the EU. I look forward to hearing what action will be taken beyond words today.

An issue I have raised many times here is maternity services. Protests continue in Galway. I join those protesting to say that it is outrageous that we continue week after week to have no assurances that women and their partners can have full access to the kinds of supports they need from their families. Women's healthcare is a postcode lottery in this country. People in the west deserve the very same as those in the east of the country.

Finally, I raise school bus services. I have seen many letters coming back from Bus Éireann saying that people are not entitled to a school bus where they are going to the closest school that serves them and their ethos and that of their families. More and more children have to get into cars when buses are available because they choose a school that fits with the family's background, whether religious or non-religious. This must be dealt with urgently and for this September. We cannot wait another year.