Aubrey McCarthy (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I offer my own congratulations to the Cathaoirleach. I listened to Senator Bradley speaking about getting used to the Seanad but for me, this is my first day at school. I thank everybody, especially Martin Groves and his team, for making it so easy. It is an absolute privilege to stand here among Senators and I look forward to working with each one of them. I believe we can serve the people of Ireland with dedication and purpose.

Before I proceed I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the contribution of the former Senator David Norris whose seat I have, perhaps, taken. For more than 35 years he represented the same constituency that elected me, which is Trinity College Dublin, and did so with distinction in this House. He left an indelible mark, and while his shoes are certainly big ones to fill, I will strive to uphold the same spirit of service he embodied. I wish him a well-earned and fulfilling retirement.

I am also profoundly grateful for the support of all of the people who brought me here today. I owe a huge thank you to the man above, my family, friends and all of those who believed in me. Their encouragement and faith in my ability to make a difference have been hugely important to me and the driving force behind my journey. I would also like to remember my parents, Denis and Geraldine McCarthy, who my colleague Senator O'Loughlin would have known well. I came from a very dysfunctional and challenging home but their love and guidance shaped the person I am today. I suspect they would be very surprised to see me here, not as a visitor but as an elected representative in this esteemed House. A special word of thanks must go to my dear friend Phil Thompson, who is my partner in crime at Tiglin. Without Phil and his tireless efforts, Tiglin would not be the transformative organisation that it is today. His unwavering commitment to helping individuals navigate the challenges of homelessness, rehabilitation and addiction is nothing short of extraordinary. Phil is in the Public Gallery today. I also thank the former judge, Ms Gillian Hussey, who was the inspiration behind me putting the Tiglin centres together. Her wisdom, guidance and wicked sense of humour were certainly a source of inspiration for me. She used to tell everybody that she met me on Tinder and she is 89 years of age. A special word of thanks must also go to the staff and all of the volunteers at Tiglin. There are too many to name here but I know we have the Bobinac twins in the Gallery and Keith Flynn. All of these people helped me to put together what I learned was my campaign and it got me over the line.

As Senators Ruane and Clonan said, it is a tremendous honour to be elected by the graduates of Trinity College, Dublin. Two years ago I was awarded the Trinity Alumnus of the Year and I was absolutely amazed. The trust in me being put forward as a Senator for Trinity is not something I take lightly. I pledge to be a strong voice for those who often go unheard, especially those who are experiencing homelessness and addiction and people who struggle on the margins of society, like the hundreds of people we help daily at our Lighthouse café on Pearse Street who are seeking not just food but hope, dignity and support in very challenging times. Having listened to Senators today, I know that our work in this Chamber is not just about policies but is most definitely about people. It is about ensuring every individual has the opportunity to live with the dignity, security and hope we have talked about. I am committed to working collaboratively with each Senator to build a fairer and more compassionate Ireland, one where no one is left behind.

I will always remember the quote that "The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion". My good friend Sabina Higgins was here earlier, which reminded me that when the current President, Michael D. Higgins, was in these Houses, he quoted the Nobel Laureate, Amartya Sen, and said that there should be a floor through which nobody should be allowed to fall, whether that is in relation to housing, health or education. He went on to say that the "test of your citizenship is your ability to participate in society without shame". To that end, I will advocate for a comprehensive national housing strategy that addresses both emergency accommodation but also long-term social housing. As has been mentioned many times, housing should not be seen as a privilege and we should all work together to eliminate homelessness. I presented before the Oireachtas joint committee in 2016 when we were told that homelessness would be eradicated by 2020. Since then we have gone the wrong way but I believe it is something we can work on together.

I will support mental health initiatives that provide accessible and effective care for those struggling not only with addiction but also with psychological distress. As I have learned through my work at Tiglin, it is imperative that mental health services are combined with housing and employment programmes in an holistic approach and a continuum of care. Education is very important to me and I am committed to expanding access to higher education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. No one should be denied education due to financial circumstances. The likes of the Trinity Access Programme is trailblazing and an absolutely wonderful initiative.

Once again, I express my gratitude for this opportunity and I look forward to the important work that lies ahead that the House will do. I know that with great power comes a lot of paperwork, so I know we are going to be busy.