Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have less than half an hour to discuss this very important piece of legislation. While I admire Senator Fitzpatrick, I have yet to see the Senator in any of her videos speaking about Traveller accommodation or disabled people's accommodation. That is a point I want to make here because I think it is unfair that when people like me stand up with passion, through the lens of human rights and equality, I am seen as being aggressive. I am far from being an aggressive or unrealistic person but when Senators like Senator Fitzpatrick stands up, she is doing her job and when I stand up, I am seen as aggressive. I am doing my job here today as well. This piece of legislation is not fit for purpose around equality for people. The only threats to society are inequalities and that we leave working class people behind. We leave marginalised people like the Traveller community behind. We do not celebrate Traveller culture or night life or people within Irish society. This Bill has failed. I will put this all on my social media and we can continue this discussion there. We are failing so many people. As I said, I do admire Senator Fitzpatrick but I am yet to see any of her work around accommodation focused on the others in society and that is my job. I do apologise, for the record, if I come across as aggressive but the Senator has to understand I am speaking on behalf of the most marginalised people within Irish society. Other Members of this House speak on behalf of political parties and are looking for votes in the general elections; for me, I could not give a damn if I am back in here again. I have one bite of the cherry with this piece of legislation that is going to be rushed through in the next 15 minutes. It is unfortunate. I do say it with a lot of passion and a lot of emotion but it is unfortunate that we are leaving the most vulnerable people behind and the only threat to Irish society is politicians like Senator Fitzpatrick who are not inclusive of all.