Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The first issue I wish to raise this follows on from the abortion working group. I am aware that the group has contacted the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to express serious concerns over the confusing and somewhat contradictory messages regarding the legally mandated abortion review. I share the group's concern. The review was announced last March and six months on there is still a lack of clarity on the timeline and scope of the review. When he was questioned on 9 November, the Taoiseach had very little knowledge of the review. I believe there are three main issues outstanding. There is a need for the Minister for Health to announce publicly the independent chair and the panel of experts, including service users, providers and reproductive rights advocates who are going to govern this process. The Minister also needs to publish on the Department of Health website the terms of reference for the review. The Minister also needs to provide a clear timeline for the review duration, including the timeline for public consultation. I ask the Leader to write to the Minister from this House seeking clarity on the review. It is just not good enough that six months on, service users and those of us involved in the campaign for improving the legislation do not have a clue as to what is happening.The second issue I wish to raise is the concern in respect of the treatment of migrant workers in the fishing industry. A recent report conducted by Maynooth University's law department revealed details of poor or, in some cases, no wages being paid, wages being withheld, racist slurs, workers being forced to live on boats with appallingly inadequate living conditions and all sorts of terrible abuses. This report has received much coverage from around the world and there was a damning report in The Guardianon it.

There is also the egregious issue of the discriminatory policy denying migrant fishermen the right to long-term residency, stamp 4, which is available to other workers after five years of working on work permits. I am aware that leave has been granted by the High Court to challenge this so hopefully there will be movement on it. It is important from a workers’ and migrants’ rights perspective that we discuss this report and the broader issue of employment standards in Irish fisheries and for migrant workers. I request that the Leader write to the Minister and ask him to come to the Chamber to discuss this matter urgently.