Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Order of Business is No. 1, Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 – Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 2, Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 – Second Stage, to be taken at 6.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before I call Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, I welcome Sonya Stokes, Shaneda Daly and Leona O'Callaghan, three amazing women who are guests of Senator Maria McCormack. I believe we also have guests here of Senator O'Loughlin from Network Ireland. They are most welcome.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Cathaoirleach. We do, indeed, have the executive committee of the Network Ireland here. I was delighted to host its members earlier and to have this opportunity now to recognise the leadership, the expertise and the diverse experiences each one of them brings to the organisation, and not just to the organisation but to public life and to our wider society. From my work, the network's commitment to supporting one another, to championing one another and to opening doors for the next generation is hugely important and absolutely inspirational.

Many national conversations take place in Leinster House. The conversation that took place earlier about how we can support women in business and entrepreneurial leaders is every bit as important as any other conversation going on. I think we need to have a debate in this House. We would like to bring the Minister for enterprise here to talk about how we can support women in business. From the conversation we had, access to credit is really important. It would seem women in business have less access to credit. Equally, the existing local enterprise office, LEO, supports, which are exceptional, do not apply to services. Many women in professional businesses are providing really important services. I also congratulate the network on winning the tender for the women's entrepreneurship programme throughout the island of Ireland. This is through the Shared Ireland funds. It now has a three-year contract to be able to mentor women right across the island. This is fantastic. We look forward to hearing more and to continuing those conversations.

I also want to talk about today being the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The focus this year is on digital harm, so I believe now is the time we need to act to ensure that catfishing is seen as a stand-alone offence. Highlighting the escalating reality of digital abuse is really important. Equally, Ireland must update its laws to reflect how violence against women is evolving.I brought a Bill through Second Stage here and the Minister said he needed time for himself and his officials to consider it. It is important. Technology is evolving and, sadly, abuse is evolving along with it. We need to take a much harder stance. I would very much appreciate if the House could ask the Minister to come back on the next Stage of the Bill.

Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I want to raise an issue I have raised a number of times in the House, and this is the issue of respite care for young people with intellectual and physical disabilities and older people with disabilities. I referred to a situation in west Cork where we have a severe deficit in respite care. It is an issue that has become more apparent. Last week in west Cork we had an AGM for CoAction and in the room there was frustration, anger and deep worry among parents about the level of respite care available in west Cork. It is something I feel beholden to raise here. Yes, I am a member of a Government party but respite care in west Cork is unavailable. It is something we need to fix. Recently I met Family Carers Ireland and they spoke about conducting a national audit. We do respite well in some parts of the country but in other areas, there are serious blackspots. At ministerial level and in the HSE we need to hold to account areas of the country and organisations that do not provide respite.

I speak to parents who are at their wits' end in trying to support family members. I speak to siblings in family set-ups who question whether they should have taken on the care of family members because of the difficulties they face. This is not a place any human being should be in. I feel a duty to raise this and speak about it here. Recently there was an increase in the disability budget of €600 million, which is welcome, but we need to see how the money will be spent throughout the country. I would welcome a debate with the new Minister with responsibility for disability to see what action will be taken to ensure we have respite. We are in 2025. If any of us want to stay anywhere in the world we go to booking.com and check availability and calendars. Why can families in this country not go online and check availability for respite care? We have people who have never got respite care. They are doing the job of the State and getting very little support for it. I hope the Leader will appreciate my emotion on this because I am trying to transfer what I am hearing when I speak to these family members. We need to see change in this drastically and very soon.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome our guests from the women's network. I want to speak on the issue of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At present, 16 million women and girls in Afghanistan are subject to the most appalling interpretation of Sharia law. They are not allowed to access education or proper maternity services. They are being held in medieval conditions. Young girls and teenage girls who speak out suffer the appalling punishment of having their nose cut off and removed from their face. They mutilate girls and women who speak up and speak out. We have also seen in Gaza the killing of tens of thousands of women and girls. It is femicide and infanticide writ large. It does not matter whether it is a Wahhabi Salafist Taliban leader or Benjamin Netanyahu. They all have one thing in common, which is their absolute contempt and hatred of women.

I am sorry that we have learned of another attack on a woman in her own home in Ireland, a savage and brutal attack in which she suffered serious catastrophic burns. I am thinking of her and her family. We have a serious problem with violence against women. I stress also the intersectionality of this because of my area of special interest. Disabled women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. We had the case raised here over and over again by me on behalf of Caitlin Hassan whose mum, Louise Hassan, has attended here. We have had Commencement matter after Commencement matter. This is a young woman who was raped while in State-funded care. She is a contemporary Grace case.Louise Hassan is absolutely at her wits' end at the lack of support for, or response to, her daughter, who has been lying in the foetal position in their home for months now, having been raped.

I am in the process of drafting legislation on adult safeguarding for disabled citizens, and when that is drafted, I will circulate it to every Member of this House. I would appreciate support from both Government and Opposition colleagues because we are outliers in European terms in this regard. The future of our species and our planet depends on the empowerment of women and girls. It is the gold standard. The status and role of women in any society and their safety and security is the surest sign of the dynamism, safety, prosperity and relevance of any society.

Malcolm Noonan (Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Delegates headed to the airport in Belém at the weekend after the COP30 negotiations with very little to show for it, unfortunately. We know that the COP process is the only game in town in terms of multilateral agreements and reaching consensus-based decisions on something as significant as climate. While some commitments were made in terms of funding climate adaptation in small island developing states and developing countries, it still fell well short of what was required. A last-minute scramble by the Brazilian hosts to try to salvage something from the talks did lead to some agreement, it was a very watered-down version of what should have been there. Two previous COPs had mentioned and discussed the phasing out of fossil fuels and this has been the main bone of contention. The EU, unfortunately, in the first week of the COP did not play a great leadership role but it certainly stepped up in the latter end of the negotiations.

The Irish Government takes up the Presidency of the EU in the latter half of 2026. It is imperative that we start working collaboratively with our EU colleagues now because we will be leading the negotiations at COP31 and at the biodiversity COP. It is critically important that we show leadership. Our Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, both went out and made really lofty and very well-meaning speeches at Belém but, unfortunately, their words do not match their actions here in Ireland. It is critically important that we show leadership and that could start with Ireland ceding to the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. Many countries have already signed up to it as have many municipalities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, by way of a resolution of members. That would be a first signal of intent by the Irish Government and would show leadership at EU level among other member states.

I would welcome the opportunity to have a debate in this House in the new year on the outcome of the Belém talks. We seem to be careering towards disaster, with many tipping points already being reached. We are seeing the climate catastrophe unfold right around the world on a daily basis. It is critically important that Ireland steps up now in the wake of the very poor outcome of COP30. We must look towards COP31 and show the leadership that we have been good at in so many other facets of foreign policy. This is the one where we really need to show leadership.

Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I commend Senator Clonan on his work on safeguarding legislation and he will have our full support on that. Safeguarding legislation has never been more relevant.

Today is an immensely important day, as other Senators have said. It is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a day when we stand together and say that women and girls deserve safety, dignity and justice. Orange is the colour that represents this worldwide. Today, my party colleague, Deputy Matt Carthy, will bring forward for debate the Victims of Sexual Violence Civil Protection Orders Bill in the Dáil. This is really simple legislation but its impact will be enormous. Sometimes the simplest changes are the ones that transform lives, and this Bill is exactly that. It is a straightforward, compassionate measure that finally gives survivors the protection they should always have had.It is hard to believe that in 2025, this is not available to a victim. I am delighted to have three extraordinary survivors with me today in the Gallery, Sonya Stokes, Leona O'Callaghan and Shaneda Daly. Their presence reminds us of exactly who we are fighting for when it comes to this Bill. These women have taken their pain, trauma and years of fear and turned them into power. They have turned it into change. I am so proud of them, of their courage and leadership, and am deeply grateful that they have trusted me with their stories. Sonya shared something this morning, saying that for survivors, the fear never stopped at the court date. They lived unheard, unprotected and terrified.

This is the reality of the current law. Under the 2023 Act, survivors of sexual violence cannot apply for a civil protection order. There is no legal mechanism to stop a convicted abuser from contacting them after their release. This is a really cruel gap in our law and the Bill finally closes it. Shaneda Daly said that this Bill will be empowering for future victims; those who have already been through enough deserve to feel safe. Leona O'Callaghan, who has shown extraordinary courage, said that by speaking out, they put themselves in the firing line for revenge from their perpetrators. They do it so that their kids will be safer, but once they take that risk, they deserve to know that when the perpetrator is released, they will have some level of safety. That is the truth. That is the cost survivors pay for speaking out and that is why this Bill cannot wait.

Today I am asking every Senator here to speak to their colleagues in the Dáil and urge them to stand with survivors, to stand with Sonya, Leona and Shaneda, and to ask all the TDs in their parties to support this Bill. Survivors cannot wait any longer. Let me be absolutely clear: this Bill is only the beginning. Sinn Féin will continue to stand with survivors. We will continue to protect survivors. Today is the start of something better and survivors will never stand alone again.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Hear, hear.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, sadly there is a huge amount to talk about. There has been a deep escalation in the normalisation of misogyny and performative cruelty and violence around the world. I want to focus particularly on the incredibly concerning issue of violence against women in conflict, and the use of violence against women explicitly as part of conflict. It is something we have seen escalating, in a new era in which the narrative seems to be that anything goes in conflict. Of course, that is not the case. We have the Geneva Convention, we have rules. Even in conflict situations, we have lines that should not be crossed. Instead, we are seeing systematic targeting of women for sexual and reproductive violence around the world.

For example, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has found "systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence by the Israeli Security Forces since 7 October 2023". Along with the disproportionate impact of the destruction of Gaza on women and children, there were also direct "reproductive violence and harms"; "deliberate attacks on sexual and reproductive health care facilities" and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure; and a wide use of sexual and gender-based crimes against Palestinians including prisoners and civilians by members of the IDF, as an intention of retaliation and collective punishment. This is the finding of the independent commission.

The UN human rights committee has also published a report on the systematic violence committed against women and girls in Sudan, including "conflict-related sexual violence, abductions, and killings, many of which have been attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)".It has reported that "girls are facing escalating risks of gang rape, sexual slavery, trafficking, and forced marriage, particularly in Al Gezira, Sinnar, Darfur, and South Kordofan". Conflict-related sexual violence is reported as increasing by 50% in 2024 compared with the previous year. We saw the scenes from the El Fasher maternity hospital and the massacre there. Horrendous stories are continuing to come out of El Fasher.

In Congo, the director of humanitarian affairs at the UN reproductive health agency says that Congolese women and girls are enduring "tremendous suffering", with women dying every hour from pregnancy and birth-related complications. It is reported that there is widespread sexual exploitation, abuse and coercion in that country.

I would like if we could have a debate explicitly focusing on this targeting and abuse of women in conflict. We should also discuss the other side of it - the piece that seems to have fallen off the agenda in the focus on security - which is UN Security Council Resolution 1325. This resolution focuses on the positive role and voice women should be afforded in peace and the building of peace.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On Saturday night, I had the honour of attending the 42nd Tallaght person of the year awards. It is an incredible event run by Tallaght Community Council. This event holds a very special place in my heart. It is community-led and shines a light on the unsung heroes of Tallaght: the individuals, groups and organisations who quietly and consistently make our community a better place. Although Tallaght often gets portrayed in a negative manner, this night gives an accurate picture of what Tallaght is really about.

The awards span nine categories: arts and culture; business; community; learning and innovation; environment; heart of gold for our under-18s; special needs and carers; sports; and youth. Of course, the night builds to the moment when the overall Tallaght person of the year is announced. That person receives the chain of office and carries the honour of being an ambassador for Tallaght for the year ahead, a role that truly represents the spirit and pride of this community. I thank last year's winner, Glenda Murphy Smullen, on being a fantastic ambassador. She did Tallaght so proud. I congratulate this year's winner, Emer Lamon, who is a member of An Garda Síochána based in Tallaght. She works tirelessly for Little Blue Heroes, a fantastic charity that supports families of children with serious illness. It provides financial assistance and special experiences, including making children honorary gardaí, to lift their spirits. Its work brings joy, relief and community support to families during incredibly difficult times.

What makes this event so special is the team behind it, a dedicated group of volunteers who pour their time, energy and love into ensuring this night is a success. Their commitment is inspiring and I wish to express my deepest gratitude for everything they do. For me, this awards night is always a highlight of the year. It reminds us why Tallaght is such a remarkable place. Every nominee receives a beautiful certificate and while only a few are selected as category winners, the truth is that every single nominee is already a winner. Each one has given selflessly, generously and wholeheartedly to making Tallaght stronger, kinder and more connected.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I join with colleagues in the House in supporting the Orange the World campaign, which supports 16 days of activism against gender-based violence between now and 10 December. I wish to highlight the Soroptimist groups in Ballina and Castlebar, County Mayo. I met this morning with the Ballina group, which has launched its campaign and has a series of events organised between now and 10 December. The Castlebar Soroptimists have similar plans. It is so important for this work to be highlighted here and in every house and chamber in the country to make sure we eliminate violence against women. In my political life, I have seen way too many times women who are in desperate need, seeking emergency accommodation and refuge from difficult and unimaginable domestic situations. I compliment the Soroptimist groups across Ireland, in particular in Mayo, Ballina and Castlebar, who are doing great work on highlighting it.

I also take this opportunity to highlight proposals by Inland Fisheries Ireland in my home county of Mayo, particularly on the River Moy in Ballina. The Ballina Salmon Anglers Association has huge concerns about the planned reduction in the number of salmon allowed to be caught during the season next year.It has come out of nowhere and the data and statistics in relation to this are questionable. There is a lot more information that we need to be shared with us as representatives and people who support the inland fisheries and the anglers along the beat of the River Moy. It is penalising fishermen and potentially a whole tourism industry when there are many other issues that need to be addressed first, such as pollution by sea trawlers. There are some constructive approaches that need to be aired out, as opposed to targeting fishermen and women along the River Moy beat.

I acknowledge my colleague, Councillor Neil Cruise, who has done great work on this. We are working together on it. There needs to be more discussion and engagement with fishermen and women and organisational groups, not just a brush stroke without full details and facts.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

During last night's Dublin City Council budget meeting, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party and the Green Party voted to give social housing tenants a Christmas gift of higher rents. This is a deeply cynical, regressive move that punishes working people for the Government's unwillingness to properly fund social housing. It was opposed by Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Independent councillors. Councillor Mannix Flynn did not vote against this increase in rents just in time for Christmas.

There has been a suggestion that council tenants have not had an increase in rent for years, but the reality is that their rent goes up every time their household income does. There is a rent increase every single time there is an increase in income. Dublin City Council has claimed it is going to improve the maintenance in the flats and housing stock. Nobody believes this because when you look at the conditions people have to live with, such as overcrowding, mould, rats, faulty appliances and broken doors, there is just general neglect, and it is and has become the norm within social housing in Dublin. The suggestion that an increase in rent is going to improve that is farcical and, like I said, no one is going to believe it. The council says the increase in rent will help maintenance, but that is not a solution. It does not offer any hope for residents that will actually result in more resources on the ground. They will not see any more resources on the ground. HAP tenants who, in many cases, are already paying extortionate rents, are just going to be squeezed even tighter. The Minister has to come in and explain what he is going to do to address the shortfall in funding for public housing.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before I begin, I express my deepest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of the two men who lost their lives in yet another day of tragedy, this time on my local roads at Gormanston, County Meath. I am also thinking of the two women who were very seriously injured, both valued members of our local Indian community, and of the emergency services who responded. It is again a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be.

As mentioned by many of my colleagues, today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This morning, I was honoured to attend the launch by Drogheda Soroptimists of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in Drogheda and to proudly wear orange for awareness. This year's UN theme, UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All, reminds us that abuse does not end at the doorstep. It follows victims into their digital lives. Online harassment, stalking and sexualised threats are a new form of control and must be treated as seriously as physical violence. Like many women in public life, I have experienced such threats myself, as has every other woman in this Chamber. They are not just words online, they are intended to silence and exclude women from public life. I am here to say we will not be silenced. Earlier today, I also hosted a presentation for Men's Aid here in Leinster House, because no violence is acceptable, whether against women or men. As these 16 days begin, we all have to match awareness with action to strengthen supports, fund front-line services and ensure that every person in Ireland can live free from fear, be it offline or online.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome Deputy Pádraig Rice and his guests to the Gallery. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Just so they know, people wearing school uniforms always deserve to have no homework for the rest of the week. We can do that in the Seanad; I do not think they can do it in the Dáil. I thank the Deputy for being here.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I want to raise the issue of derelict properties that are owned by the HSE and have been allowed to sit vacant and idle for years. There are two examples in my county, Wexford. First, we have St. John's Community Hospital in Enniscorthy. The original hospital building was built in the 1840s to be a union workhouse that accommodated approximately 600 people.

The hospital has been built up around the original hospital and the original building has fallen into disrepair, disuse and dereliction. We urgently need clarification from the HSE on what exactly are the plans it has for that building. There is widespread community support locally for it to be renovated and brought back into use. It is important that this is actioned and we have a clear plan.

Further down the road in Wexford town, we have the old Wexford hospital. Similarly, it was built in 1842 and it used to be a union workhouse as well. It has now fallen into disrepair to the point where the roof no longer exists. It is infested by rats, surrounded by overgrowth and there are trees growing up through the building. The HSE still owns it and to best of my knowledge it has not come forward with a concrete plan on what exactly is to happen that building. There were suggestions that it was going to be brought back into use for office space for the adjoining Wexford General Hospital. I know the local community has many different ideas and initiatives. We urgently need a debate in this Chamber on the issue of the derelict properties the HSE has across the country. I urge the Leader to bring this forward to this Chamber.

Eileen Flynn (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am following on from other comments this afternoon around putting an end to gender-based violence. You can wear orange all you want and you can be a part of the gender equality committee in Leinster House and be a do-gooder for women. However, when a woman is getting beaten up somewhere in this country, she does not give a damn about the colour of a Member's top or tie or what issue they are raising. What we need is a productive government when it comes to ending violence against women. What we need are spaces for children and women. This is my fifth time calling for a discussion in this House on places for women and children. We need to put our money where our mouth is. We need action. We cannot be standing up and saying that we are all great do-gooders and we need to end violence against women; we cannot.

Where there are men, there will unfortunately always be violence against women, whether we like it or not. What we need are safe places for women in this country. Every single day, I see women from minority groups who cannot get places in refuges. I grew up in a house where I lived as child who saw her mother going through domestic violence. I am sure there are other Members who are probably not in a place where they ever want to speak about it, but who had a similar experience to me.

I support all of the women's organisations in this country but my question is: do those organisations support women on the very margins of society? That is not very clear to me. I would love nothing more than to have a debate in this House around women from minority groups when it comes to domestic violence. It is not part of any women's culture to wake up in the morning and be abused by any man.

I will say it again in this House; domestic violence is not part of Traveller culture. I am begging that we mark this 16 days of activism towards ending violence against women by providing spaces and taking action. We do not need more talk about ending the violence; we need action so that women and children in this country can feel safe.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 24 January of this year, Storm Éowyn hit our shores and caused considerable devastation right across the country. If our incredible public servants, from gardaí and members of the Civil Defence to staff of the ESB and local authorities, had not been on the scene in the many affected counties to restore power and support people and communities at a very difficult time, things might have been very different. Local authorities, in particular, played a key role in putting money in place as quickly as possible to fund the restoration of key services. It was agreed by the Department and the Minister that the money would be returned to the local authorities. In my county, Tipperary, Councillor Declan Burgess, who was cathaoirleach at the time, showed great leadership along with the chief executive in ensuring funding of €650,000 from Tipperary County Council would be made available to quickly restore services to the people of the county. The problem we have is that, ten months later, or almost 11, Tipperary County Council has not received a penny of that back. It is my understanding that no local authority across the whole country has received any funding back after Storm Éowyn. The storm was a long time ago, almost a year. We have had other storms since and I do not want the affected areas to feel as if they will have to wait almost a year until their local authority receives funding.

Local authorities play a key role in being out first, front and centre, to support local communities, but they need to be supported by the Department and Minister. Could the Leader speak to the relevant Minister to find out when the local authorities are going to be paid? Are they going to be paid before the end of this year, or are they going to have to wait until 2026?

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome home our peacekeepers. Members of the 126th Infantry Battalion returned following a six-month deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. They were greeted, in emotional scenes, at the airport. It is wonderful to be able to say all our troops returned home safe and sound after a traumatic time for the past six months.

As everybody knows, UNIFIL is to wind down at the end of 2026. The Lebanon area has had a huge connection with Irish troops over the past 40 years. I hope that when the wind-down happens, the people of Lebanon will not be left to their own defences. Everybody knows what has happened there over the past six months. Grenades have been launched at, and attacks have occurred very close to, peacekeeping centres.

It is feared that we are leaving Lebanon at a time when we should be staying. There is a fear among those who have built up connections with families, friends, villages and communities in Lebanon that we are leaving them with worst times to come.

I welcome home our troops for Christmas. It is very important that we stay connected through peacekeeping missions throughout the world. If the missions send out a message, it is that we are a nation of peace and we deploy our troops in areas where they are needed.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Like many of my fellow Senators have said, today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Al Jazeera reported last week that nearly one third of women worldwide have faced sexual or partner violence. One in three women in Ireland has experienced domestic abuse, and 277 women have died violently in Ireland since 1996. While certain cases hit the headlines – the murder of Ashling Murphy springs to mind, as does that of Stella Gallagher in Cork last week – most cases do not make the news or come to the public’s attention.Last year gardaí were called to 65,000 incidents of domestic abuse. That is 1,250 every week. Horrendous as these figures are, they do not even come close to the true scale of the problem. It is thought that only 40% of victims seek any kind of help. Violence comes not only from strangers but usually from those closest to women. Then, these brave women when they are strong enough to seek help, need to be strongly supported by our State. Survivors need to be protected during the court processes and defence teams should never be allowed access to counselling notes during gender violence cases. We need action by the State. We need to resource our gardaí so that abusers are removed from the family homes. Why is it that still in 2025, and why was it ever the case, that women and children who are being abused typically have to leave their homes when it is their abuser that should be removed? For those who do leave, easier access to the rent supplement scheme for people fleeing domestic violence is a very welcome development since 2020. Unfortunately, a rent supplement scheme does not help those who cannot find accommodation at all. There are still nine counties, including my own area in Sligo-Leitrim, that do not have a refuge space. People are given temporary refuge or safe spaces for women and children in other counties. Of course, the whole situation is getting worse so there are gaps in the services within those counties.

With 35% of women experiencing some form of intimate violence in their lifetime we need to consider the wider and more systemic issues. That is why it is important to welcome this international day and this week. This evening at 6:30 p.m. in Sligo, North West Mothers for Social Justice will be holding a vigil to highlight and demand an end to the violence against women. Some of these groups have events happening all over the country.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This morning I raised the issue of access and inclusion in child care as a Commencement matter with the Minister for children, Deputy Foley. Unfortunately, the Minister was not able to attend. However, following that, the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Councillor Liam Callaghan, was in touch with me. He raised the issue of the Boyle community childcare committee. The latest census, in 2022, highlighted the fact that 175 children living in the Boyle urban area were under the age of four. Out of 63 childcare spaces available in the town, it is likely that only 33 of them are for more than three early childhood care and education programme, ECCE, hours. That is what was available full time. I would welcome a discussion in this House on childcare once again. I remind the House that there is a commitment in the programme for Government to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. I believe that particular argument refers specifically to Boyle in north west Roscommon.

I would also like to back up Senator Ahearn's call for clarity on the Storm Éowyn supports for local authorities. My own home county was one of the worst affected. I believe the local authority there is owed €1.2 million. That is not something that the local authority is able to carry indefinitely. No clarity has been given on when it will receive this payment. I support the call to try to get some clarity on that.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to congratulate the women from the Kildare business women's network, Network Ireland Kildare branch, who are Leinster House today. I am not sure whether they have been to the House yet. Every year they do a fundraiser and I am the only male who is an honorary member of the women's business network in Kildare. They have had fundraisers in the past for the charity I am involved in, Tiglin, and have raised €20,000 or €30,000. They are a wonderful group of women who certainly deserve a shout out.

I also want to mention the decision from Dublin City Council yesterday about raising rent. I know it was a razor-thin decision, 31 to 30. I can fully understand why it is being done but the timing is a bit tone deaf in that we are coming up to Christmas and many people are experiencing the cost-of-living crisis. Two evenings ago I was in my own homeless café, The Lighthouse on Pearse Street. A young guy there lives in Ringsend in a tent because he cannot afford accommodation. He has a good job but he just cannot afford the rent in Dublin, which can be €2,500 for a one-bedroom apartment.Seeing people like that who do not have mental health or addiction struggles, yet are availing of homeless services that we provide, it is important that we watch out for some people like this and that we balance the decision to raise rents. Perhaps a phased introduction of raised rents over time could be looked into rather than putting it on before Christmas.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I met Johnstown Football Club recently. Although I will bring this up locally, for sure, like many councillor colleagues in County Meath, I want to make the Chamber, the Leader and the Minister aware of how we can build a huge community in a town and provide them with zero facilities. I will shock them with some of these numbers. It is an incredible situation. I am speaking about Navan and the community is Johnstown. Imagine having 4,000 homes and more than 12,000 people living in them, with not even a playground, never mind sports facilities. There is nothing there. There is nowhere for a boxing club to spar, nowhere for a karate club to train, nowhere for the soccer club to play. Johnstown is larger than many towns across Ireland and does not have anything close to the community facilities that other towns have.

I met the local soccer club recently, as I said. It celebrated its 20th anniversary celebrations in 2024, marking two decades of commitment, volunteerism and growth in the Johnstown community. It has to train somewhere on the other end of the town. As it prepares to compete in the North East Football League, NEFL, premier division next season, Johnstown FC will be the only club in the premier division without its own home pitch. For a club representing such a large and fast-growing area in Navan, this is both unsustainable and unfair, and it highlights the urgent need for Meath County Council to engage meaningfully on this issue.

Johnstown FC has capital available. It is a progressive club run by an incredible group of volunteers. This is just one example of a sports club with no home in this village. There is nowhere to play in the village, no playground and no large community facility. There is nowhere where we can go to hire out a hall and do yoga or Pilates, play badminton or play tennis outside, yet houses are being built at a fast pace in this area. Meath is a progressive council with regard to the number of houses it was building. I am just focusing on the lack of community facilities in this area. We know that when there is a lack of community facilities, that can lead to antisocial behaviour.

I would appreciate if the Leader could have a discussion with the Minister for sport and see what we can do to help to progress this with Meath County Council. Do not get me wrong, I am sure that Meath County Council would love to see a sporting facility in Johnstown and a playground there. We just have to work around how we do it while we are building the massive number of houses that we are building.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon. One of the most common themes was recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, raised by Senators O'Loughlin, Clonan, Higgins, Duffy, Comyn, Flynn, McCormack and Cosgrove. I join them in paying recognition to this important day, and indeed 16 days of awareness-raising about violence against women.

Senator O'Loughlin also talked about catfishing and the need for evolution of technology, and called for a debate with the Minister.

Senator Clonan talked about the realities of Sharia law, the mutilation of women in Afghanistan and the attack of a woman here in Ireland, Caitlin Hassan, and adult safeguarding legislation. Senator McCormack talked about the Sinn Féin Bill in this area.

Senator Higgins talked about the conflicts in Palestine, Sudan and Congo.

Senator Duffy raised the local groups in Mayo who are involved in raising awareness and supports for women, and Senator Comyn likewise raised the offline and online issues.

Senator Flynn raised the safe spaces and refuges for women and children, as did Senator Cosgrove, with regard to the lack of refuges in her own area. She also acknowledged the 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary's Catholic School in Nigeria who were kidnapped over the weekend and the last number of days. I hope they will be found safe and well. I will request a debate on this area of violence against women and raising awareness, as well as the issue of refuges. Senators O'Loughlin and McCarthy raised issues relating to the leadership role of women in the context of the women’s business network. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about access to credit and mentioned that LEO supports do not apply to services. She highlighted an organisation that has won a tender for mentoring women across the island under the shared island fund.

Senator O’Donovan raised the challenges and deficits of respite care in west Cork and other parts of the country. A number of years ago, the issue related to funding but now it relates to getting the staff to carry out the caring and getting the respite hours for someone to go in to provide that respite care for people. I can only imagine it. The Senator mentioned people who have never gotten respite care. It is a huge challenge. I have dealt with many families who would want to look after their loved ones all the time if they could, but they are physically unable to do so. They need that respite and break. I ask the Senator to submit a Commencement matter regarding the specific challenges in Cork. I presume it is a staffing issue rather than a funding one. He mentioned the additional €600 million, which is certainly welcome, although I do not know whether it will involve additional respite hours. The Senator is right about the importance of the role. Carers are doing the job for the State. I ask the Senator to put down a Commencement matter on that issue specifically for Cork and I will see if we can get a debate on the matter as well.

Senator Noonan requested a debate on the COP Belém talks as we look forward to COP31. I will request that. I know there has been some progress in relation to the national adaptation plan and moving towards the transition away from fossil fuels. There has also been progress with our climate adaptation finances. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, in that regard.

Senator Costello paid tribute to Garda Emer Lamon, who is involved with the Little Blue Heroes and has been named as the Tallaght person of the year. I wish her well and I thank her for the role she has played over the last number of years with this.

Senator Duffy raised the issue of Inland Fisheries Ireland and salmon anglers on the River Moy having reduced access to salmon fishing for next year. There are many challenges with salmon coming back to our rivers. The number of smolts that leave and return is a very low percentage. There are numerous issues at stake such as predation, warming oceans, feeding grounds and, obviously, super trawlers and the likes across the country. I know Inland Fisheries Ireland does a lot of very important work in the area of science, so it will know the exact results coming back regarding returns to the River Moy. There is also predation from seals in many of the mouths of our coastal rivers. That may be the case there as well.

Senators Andrews and McCarthy spoke about the raising of council rents as part of Dublin City Council's budget vote yesterday. As I understand it, the overall budget vote passed with 31 votes in favour and 30 against. I think this has been flagged for a period of time. I am not sure what case the chief executive officer put forward in that regard but, obviously, the democratically elected councillors voted on it. Certainly, it is beholden on all the councillors to ensure that any additional funding raised is put back into the maintenance and improvement of flats and council houses.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised derelict properties owned by the HSE, which is quite a specific issue. I suggest he puts down a Commencement matter regarding the two properties he mentioned in Enniscorthy and Wexford town to see exactly what plans the HSE has.

Senators Ahearn and Scahill raised the issue of Storm Éowyn and the lack of reimbursement to local authorities in relation to money spent on that. Again, I will raise that with the relevant Minister. I am not sure if it is the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, or the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, who is responsible. Maybe that is part of the problem. I am not sure which of them will be reimbursing that money. I presume it is the Minister, Deputy Browne. That might be the issue in terms of what exact pot the reimbursement is meant to come from. That is of no use to the local authorities that have to balance their books and have spent that money, however. I will request that as well.

Senator Brady spoke about the emotional scenes with the return of the 125th Infantry Battalion from Lebanon. He is right to say that UNIFIL will wind down at the end of 2026. Certainly, we do not know what will be left behind once UNIFIL leaves and what impact it will have on the people in the area. He has asked for a debate.We have a request in for that. We had confirmation prior to the change of Ministers that there would be a defence debate, but I will request with the new Minister for Defence that that be continued over the next number of weeks.

Senator Scahill also raised the issue of access and inclusion in childcare in relation to capital investment. He mentioned Councillor Liam Callaghan, cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, and the good work he is doing and is involved in there. The childcare section of the capital plan is due to be published soon. I certainly hope there will be good news in that on the roll-out of additional capital funding for childcare places because these are very badly needed.

Senator Nelson Murray mentioned Johnstown in Navan, where there is a lack of facilities for 12,000 people in 4,000 homes. I am not sure whether any lands are available at all. Obviously, Meath County Council can apply for sports capital grants and local clubs, with agreement from Meath County Council, can also apply for those grants for AstroTurf and playgrounds. I do not think CLÁR covers that area of Meath, so LEADER would be the way to go for a playground, but if land is available for the county council or the local community, there are schemes. If no land is available, that is a bigger challenge and people would have to look for land elsewhere through Meath County Council. I certainly wish the Senator well in her advocacy for that community.