Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday was the international day against racism. A very rushed action plan against racism was launched. I thank the committee, which worked really hard on the plan to tackle racism within Irish society. I request that we have statements on the plan, because a lot of the time we have great plans but we do not have action. That is one point.

This evening there will be a vote in the Dáil on the removal of the eviction ban. Sometimes when we speak up, we are seen as being far left or that we do not have any common sense. I see so many people homeless within our society. There are so many single mothers with two to five kids struggling even to get accommodation. This evening, the Government is going to remove the eviction ban. For the record, I stand in support with my colleague, Deputy Pringle, who will vote in favour of the people.

I might get into trouble for saying this, but although I would vote against the Government I, think if you have an agreement with a colleague on maternity leave, given that it is very tough for women to take maternity leave, you should stand with the person you made the agreement with. As a mother myself who went on maternity leave for four months, I am really disappointed that while we got somewhere with maternity leave, this agreement would not go ahead. If we are going to support women in the Houses, we must look at how we are going to stick by our word because letting somebody down at the last minute is not the right thing to do.