Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach on his appointment.

It is an honour and a privilege to rise today in this Chamber and address Seanadóirí agus muintir na hÉireann as a newly elected Member of Seanad Éireann. I do so with immense gratitude to those who have placed their trust in me and a profound sense of duty to serve the people of Ireland and my area in Cork North-West.

I take my seat in this House at a time of great challenge and even greater opportunity. Ireland as a nation is resilient and progressive, yet we face pressing issues that require bold leadership and unwavering commitment. Our young people are not just the future of Ireland; they are the present. They are our students, our workers, our entrepreneurs and our change-makers, yet too often their voices are unheard in the halls of power.I commit to ensuring their concerns, from access to education, employment, mental health supports to housing security, are at the heart of our national agenda. We must create an Ireland where every young person has the opportunity to thrive unburdened by the weight of economic instability and social inequality. The health of our nation is the foundation upon which everything is built. A just society ensures no person is left behind when faced with care needs.

We must work to reduce waiting lists, enhance mental health services and ensure addiction is rooted in principles of compassion rather than criminalisation. Healthcare must not be a privilege but a right for every citizen that should be able to be equal and efficient.

Justice is also the bedrock of democracy. It must be accessible, transparent and fair to all. Whether it is tackling crime, ensuring victims are protected or strengthening our policing systems, we must be guided by principles of fairness and equality. We need to build a legal framework that fosters trust between communities and law enforcement, protects the vulnerable and upholds human rights in every aspect of governance. The ongoing housing crisis, the need for stronger domestic violence protections and the necessity for fair immigration policies must be tackled with urgency and compassion. Every citizen deserves to feel safe, valued and secure in their home and country. We must move away from outdated punitive approaches to addiction and instead embrace policies that treat addiction as a health issue and not a criminal one. Harm reduction, education, rehabilitation and community-based supports must be the cornerstones of our national approach. No family in Ireland has been untouched by the scourge of addiction and we owe it to the citizens to provide real pathways to recovery rather than barriers to reintegration.

We are custodians of democracy that has endured, evolved and strengthened over generations. The decisions we make in this Chamber must always be guided by principles of justice, equality and opportunity. We have to be fearless in challenging old paradigms and steadfast in our pursuit of progress. I stand here today not just as a Senator but as a servant of the people. I promise to work tirelessly to listen attentively and to act decisively in the interests of those who rely on us to lead. Together we can build a nation that is not just prosperous but also compassionate, fair and forward thinking. I really look forward to working with all Senators as a Seanad together. I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment again.