Kathleen Funchion
Member of the European Parliament · The Left · IE
“A Uachtaráin, I mí Feabhra, leag an Pharlaimint amach a seasamh maidir leis an Straitéis Frithbhochtaineachta. Doiciméad a bhí ann a leag amach tograí dearfacha chun deireadh a chur le bochtanas ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh. Anois, tá moltaí an Choimisiúin againn agus is mór an náire iad.”
“A Uachtaráin, carers are the backbone of our community. The unsung hero is looking after some of the most vulnerable in our society, and yet are consistently left behind. As we know, women disproportionately take on those caring responsibilities.”
“Carers are putting in the hours and providing this vital care, but because they might be working part-time, or their partner is working, they see a much reduced payment, or indeed, in many instances, no payment at all.”
“A Uachtaráin, I want to raise the matter of the recent fires which we saw in the south-east of Ireland recently that destroyed the livelihoods of many, in Waterford City in particular.”
“I do understand that recent packages have been announced by the Irish Government, which is welcome, but we do need to see those funds actioned as a matter of urgency.”
“Mr President, not content with their genocide in Gaza, Israel and war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu have extended their crimes towards the people of Lebanon. Reports that the Israeli Defence Minister has ordered the destruction of homes inside Lebanon tells us clearly their aim is occupation and annexation.”
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“A Uachtaráin, as a Member from a country that cherishes our neutrality and recognises the benefits it has brought to the world, I want to express my opposition to any backsliding when it comes to the neutrality of Ireland. Our country has a proud history of UN-mandated peacekeeping missions, a tradition that has gone on for decades. Our neutrality has enabled us to maintain an independent foreign policy, and this is a strength that is valued and supported by the Irish people. It is therefore shameful that our Irish Government would try to use this real emergency to end the 'triple lock' policy, which is in place to protect our neutrality. The 'triple lock' is a core component of Ireland's independent foreign policy, and is enshrined in national declarations to the Irish people by governments in advance of a previous EU referendum.”
“If the Irish Government are serious about tackling the crisis in recruitment and retention, they must immediately deliver pay parity for all, including those Section 39 workers. Finally, colleagues, it is incumbent upon all of us as legislators to deliver equal pay for equal work for all. So let's work towards that endeavour in this Parliament and in our Member States. 2-0216-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, I welcome this debate as we urgently need to address the crises in recruitment and retention in our disability and our health care sectors. In 2024, there was an estimated shortfall of around 1.6 million health and social care workers across the EU. In Ireland, we have the particularly unfair situation of Section 39 workers who work for privately owned charities and agencies that are contracted by the state to provide disability and health care services. Section 39 workers are being paid at an astounding 15 % less than their colleagues in the public sector. This is despite the fact that they do the exact same work. The unfair treatment of Section 39 workers must be addressed.”
“I want to call on the incoming Irish Justice Minister to change this in Ireland and enact Valerie's Law without delay. And I want to also call on this Parliament and the Justice Commissioner to ensure that Valerie's Law is enacted throughout our Member States. Children in these situations must be protected and legal loopholes must not add to their nightmare. Action is needed now. 1-0202-0000”
“Mr President, I want to raise the issue of domestic violence and a law that we should be enacting, which is called Valerie's Law. So currently, an absolutely horrific loophole exists within the law in Ireland and other Member States, which means that when a partner intentionally kills their partner, that person still retains guardianship rights of their shared children. It's actually difficult to believe that this is still the case, and that family and loved ones of those murdered, who are already going through the worst thing imaginable, have to then deal with the added trauma of challenging this in the courts. I want to commend in particular David French from Cork in Ireland. He has been campaigning vigorously to get this law changed, as his own sister Valerie was murdered by her partner a number of years ago.”