Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators and the Minister of State for engaging on this important topic. It is true that much work has been done but we are not seeing the cultural shift. That is just a reality. The numbers reflect an increase but include those who are doing both breastfeeding and using formula milk. It is important to point out that the rates do not refer to breastfeeding exclusively.

It is also important to point out that while Ireland has signed up to the WHO's international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes, it is not in compliance with it. We are not outliers in that regard because no European country is in compliance. As Senator Higgins said, some of the countries across the world impacted most by the aggressive advertising of formula companies are the ones who have tried to bring in bans on advertising. We need to follow suit and be leaders in that regard.

I want to mention a few points the Senators have raised. I thank the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, for her personal stories. We talk about breastfeeding an awful lot together and try to be as creative as possible. As Senator Higgins has said, we are trying to devise practical solutions. We have experienced a lot of these issues ourselves. Many of the people we are in contact with also have.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for taking on board the suggestions because we need to see a step change.

I thank Senator Currie for her personal story. It is not always easy to share with people the difficulties one faces, but it is important to do so. The point the Senator made on putting pressure on the system rather than woman is really important and one we must keep reiterating. If we do not, we will be fearful of talking about this topic for fear we will be shaming women. That is not what we are doing; we are shaming a system that has let women down. That is what we will continue to do if we do not address this.

On the remarks of Senator Higgins, Ireland is an outlier when it comes to its rate of breastfeeding. That is just the reality. In this regard, let me return to my point on secondary schools. Senator Dolan and I are members of the education committee, and that is why she raised a point I have made quite a lot over the past couple of days. We need to make use of secondary schools because people do not have the relevant experience in their homes. I am referring not only to girls but also to boys and people of all genders and skills because they comprise the support network. They need to see what a good latch looks like. We must start talking about breasts as things that actually perform a function for young children, and that means talking about the subject to young boys as well as young girls.

I thank Senator Keogan for the point she raised. It was remiss of me not to speak about the blood bikers. Theirs is a really important function. I have met some in Galway. North–South co-operation involving Fermanagh, which Senator Warfield spoke about, has been key. We have been very reliant on it in Ireland. I believe we need to examine whether we could develop our own system here. The North–South co-operation with the blood bank could be replicated in respect of many things that happen on this island.

I have spoken about each of the Senators' suggestions. I have two more points to make. I note the Minister of State did not mention the Traveller health action plan. It is hugely important that we see progress on that. The Traveller community has waited long enough. The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community, of which I am member, wants to see the action plan but we also want to see action. Members of the Traveller community are tired of asking for plans. They want to see delivery on the ground. The 2% breastfeeding rate among Travellers is shocking and impacts on the health of the community, both psychologically and physically.

I thank and pay tribute to Councillor Kate Ruddock who is seated in the Gallery. She is the newest councillor for the Green Party having become a councillor on Monday. She works as a researcher for the party and has done huge work on this issue in the past year. We rely heavily on members of our party and volunteers with whom we have contact to bring forward these issues. I thank everyone involved and I assure them that we will continue to push this issue. It is important that the Government made the decision not to oppose the motion. It will be important for us to see our suggestions taken on board. The motion gives us a blueprint and encouragement to continue to apply pressure.