Aubrey McCarthy
University of Dublin · Independent · Ireland
“I briefly mention what my colleague Senator Andrews mentioned about the accommodation recognition payment, ARP, and its proposed reduction for those who are hosting Ukrainians in Ireland.”
“I have travelled to Ukraine and seen first-hand the resilience and dignity of the people. Many of the people I hosted are from Mariupol and have nothing to go back to. They are not just people receiving support but people who have become part of the community here. We should never forget why they came here in the first place.”
“Just as I was coming in this morning, standing on the lawn at the Merrion side of Leinster House it is hard to ignore the ragwort that is growing on the grass. Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936, ragwort is a noxious weed.”
“I extend the welcome to Emma and Adam. I first met them through our homeless services at the Lighthouse Homeless Café. They came to access services. Adam is a bright lad. He is studying away. He is a fanatic when it comes to basketball and I hope that one day, he will play for Ireland, if not in the NBA in the US.”
“As someone who has spent over two decades in Tiglin, trying to get people from homelessness, addiction and domestic abuse back into employment and education, I can say that the Mr Price model works very well.”
“I hope we ensure that people such as Adam are given every chance to fulfil their dreams. I wish Emma and Adam every success. I thank Emma for volunteering at the Lighthouse with my manager, Mr. Rob Byrne. It is something special. I welcome the Belgian Ambassador to the House. He is a wonderful representative of his country.”
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“I thank the Minister of State for being here with us today. I know he is representing the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, on this Commencement matter. As I have said previously, I really want the Minister, Deputy Browne, to succeed in his role as Minister for housing. It would certainly lift the spirit of Ireland. The housing crisis is a debacle. If we can make a difference, it will change many people's lives. This is not the first time I have spoken about homeless and emergency accommodation figures in this House. When I was first elected to this House, I put on a whiteboard in my office the homeless numbers on that date. The number of people in emergency accommodation at that time was 15,286, and the number of children was just over 3,000.”
“We have amazing institutions in Ireland like UCG, UL or DCU and all the way along. They should be places where young people like those I have mentioned should not only dream of education, but where they can take advantage of it. I am confident the Minister has a vision, and I am confident he will bring it to pass. Education is one of the greatest equalisers and we need the barriers for people who have been in generations of poverty to be lifted. We need to make sure it continues, and I thank the Minister for his support of what we are doing in the homeless community.”
“My colleagues mentioned rent for students and supported grants. It is impossible to get accommodation as a worker, never mind as a student. We are pricing people out of education, not through education alone, but through the likes of supported housing initiatives. Even if you look at the Funding the Future report it highlights a serious shortfall in core funding for our institutions. We need to look at that, but we need to look at supporting the individuals. That is the true measure of where education can make a difference in lives changed and not just in numbers published. At the Trinity event the provost spoke about the huge shortfall in its own funding. In order for institutions to be supported to take in students from disadvantaged backgrounds we need to focus on that.”
“Joe Collins in South East Technological University and told him the story. I said that these guys could kick the ball out of the park if given the opportunity. He put a challenge to me and said he would back their education and give them a chance if I could try to get them accommodation. I did my part, and we got them accommodation. The two guys went and did their degree. They did their Masters degrees, they did a second Masters degree and were awarded an academic excellence award by the previous Minister for Education. It showed me that opportunity in education can transform lives. One of those guys recently bought a house. Nobody can afford houses anymore, but this guy did. It showed that education has transformed his life. That is the power of education and belief. It is also the power of the other supports necessary.”
“They arrived at my homeless work in the Lighthouse a number of years ago looking for help. They had no education. They had no level of education. We got them into a college in Dublin to do a level 5. Unfortunately, they were living rough, so they were studying in McDonald's and they both failed the level 5. They had to repeat the whole year. I asked their permission to ring their lecturer, and they allowed me. I rang the lecturer and told her these people were living in adverse circumstances. I asked if it was possible for them to be allowed to repeat the module rather than the full year. I knew that if they were repeating the year we would have lost them. She said that if they cannot stand the heat they should not be in the kitchen. I went onto LinkedIn and found Dr.”
“He was an undergraduate, then a postgraduate and now is a Minister in the hall where he was no doubt nervous doing his exams in the first place. It shows the potential of what entities and institutions like Trinity College can do. It has an outreach programme called the Trinity Access Programme, with which I am familiar through my homeless work. It has a commitment to inclusion and works not only to diversify the student body, but it opens doors for younger people in education. No matter what their background or bank balance is, their lives can change. That is the kind of Ireland we need to focus on, where a child from a disadvantaged community has the same equality and chance to succeed as a child of privilege. I know education remains one of the biggest divides in our society. I will give an example of two guys the Minister met.”
“I thank the Minister for being here. It is good to have him, and he is welcome. We have talked about higher education. I want to talk about the human aspect of it and lives that have been transformed, challenged and shaped through higher education in our country. I believe our universities are more than lecture halls and libraries. They are places where ambition meets access and where the next generation of Irish citizens is formed. I was elected by the graduates of Trinity College, which itself is a cornerstone of intellectual life and a symbol of what can be achieved when education is allowed to flourish. Trinity has produced leaders in science, business and politics. Last week, I was there with the Minister to launch the strategic review. I was sitting in the exam hall.”
“Otherwise, we are simply moving people from one crisis to another. I ask that emergency measures be introduced. In the Lighthouse, for example, every time there is a storm or snow, we have to roll out new initiatives. I am saying let us plan ahead for those initiatives. It is not about politics but about compassion. It is time for the half measures to be addressed.”
“In the past year alone the number of people in emergency accommodation has increased by 13%. Behind those figures are nearly 2,400 families, about 2,000 young adults and around 252 people of pension age. People who once paid rent, raised families and contributed all the way in their communities are now finding themselves in emergency accommodation and basically living in limbo. As the winter comes in and it gets colder, we are meeting people who are in quiet despair. They are not faceless figures in a report. They are our neighbours, daughters and people in our communities. As Focus Ireland and the Simon Community have said, housing is not just about bricks and mortar. We need wraparound services, supported housing and mental health care and those in addiction need extra supports.”
“I also welcome ambassador Pavel Vošalík to the House. He is a marvellous representative of his country and it is wonderful to have him here. As the winter comes in and the nights get darker, I am seriously uneasy and frustrated regarding the worsening homelessness situation in our country. The most recent figures released by the Department of housing are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. I am involved with the homeless services on Pearse Street and we see individuals every night of the week there. Over 16,000 of our fellow citizens are now on the emergency homeless list and 5,100 of them are children. We have crossed that awful threshold of 5,000 homeless children for the first time. To me, these are not statistics because I know the families. Imagine there are entire classrooms of children without a place to call home.”
“We need to move away from that type of nonsense. The legal lobby claims that a harm test would deny access to justice. However, it has been stated in this House that that would actually not be the case and that such a test would in effect restore justice. It would mean nobody would be immune from civil prosecution but no one should be sued for doing no wrong. As we debate the Defamation Bill this afternoon, we need to address this in the legislation. Ireland's small businesses deserve better than this.”
“I rise to speak about the Defamation Bill currently before the House. I think it is our final opportunity to deliver a defamation Act that protects the right of ordinary citizens and small business owners across Ireland. For too long, our defamation laws have enabled a culture of vexatious litigation whereby retailers, forecourt operators and restaurateurs are targeted not for wrongdoing but for profit. The statistics show that Ireland has 18 times the number of defamation cases per capita of our nearest neighbours, England and Wales. That is indefensible. The vast majority of defamation litigation in this country is not against the media but against small retailers, forecourt operators, restaurants and bars. Nowhere else in Europe can someone sue for being asked to show proof of purchase, that is, their receipt.”
“When I was in Independence Square in Kyiv, I was reminded that, as one memorial read, freedom is our religion. We need to make sure Ireland continues to stand on the side of that freedom, and not just in word, but in action.”
“It affirms what we already know is true - that Russia's illegal invasion is a crime against international law and humanity. The world must continue to put pressure on Russia through sanctions and isolation until this aggression and war ends. Ukraine's rightful place is within the European family. That is protected by the security guarantees of peace, democracy and membership of the EU. Though Ireland might be a small nation, our moral voice is not small, and we have seen that lately, even through what happened in the Middle East. Our neutrality must not be indifferent and I do not believe it is. It has to be an active commitment to peace and justice, and justice in this situation demands that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine until the last missile falls.”
“When he was fleeing the war, he had to leave his wheelchair behind, so he was literally carried to Ireland. When he arrived with us in Tiglin, he had a bright smile. Today he was my guest in Leinster House for lunch. He was here in his new electric wheelchair and complained about some of the lifts in Leinster House but, otherwise, he was very happy to be here. I am delighted he was here. Not only that, many of my Ukrainian friends are in the Gallery. They are guests of mine in Greystones. These are people who have made their lives here in the most difficult of circumstances after having to flee home. Ireland has, through humanitarian aid, diplomatic advocacy and the tireless work of the ambassador, managed to do a lot to try to make a difference, and that is why this motion is so important.”
“The Irish Times published a photo I took in Kyiv, and a mother in Newbridge got in touch with me. I had taken a photo of her son's memorial. His name was Robert Deegan and he gave his life in defence of Ukrainian freedom. He was from Newbridge, County Kildare. This story brought home to me how close defending the borders of Europe is to us, including for people from Newbridge. I witnessed the devastation first-hand. I witnessed the shattered buildings and bombed streets, but I saw that Ukrainian resolve is second to none. They are a strong people and, since March 2022, Ireland has stood with them. As chair of an organisation called Tiglin, we welcomed over 150 Ukrainian guests on St. Patrick's Day in 2022. I remember their faces coming in that day. One of the first to arrive was a young guy called Rodion Kudryk, who has cerebral palsy.”
“I compliment Her Excellency Ms Larysa Gerasko on the leadership she has shown in keeping the war to the fore of Irish people's minds. We compliment her on all she has done regarding the relationship between Ukraine and Ireland, and on behalf of Ukrainians in Ireland. I also want to compliment our own ambassador in Kyiv, Mr. Jonathan Conlon. He is an amazing diplomat, an outstanding man and a wonderful representative for Ireland over there in such difficult times. What struck me in Ukraine was that they have strategic clarity that their future lies within the European Union. Their belief is that democracy, even when it is bombed and bloodied, must never surrender. When I, like Senator O’Loughlin, stood in Independence Square, I saw the flags, flowers and memorials and the faces of the fallen. I took different photographs.”
“I had a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and that man embodies the resilience and the leadership of a country that is under siege. I was privileged also to meet the Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, the Speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and members of the opposition, including Ivanna, whose second name I will not try to pronounce. They are amazing people. I was brought into the Parliament and, as Senator O’Loughlin said, we used an app that showed us when drones were about to hit. I thought that as we had former general Keith Kellogg with us we were fairly safe, but he flew home and, within 48 hours, the building we were in was bombed. It is a real situation and it is affecting the lives of so many people.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here. I rise to support the motion. As Senators O'Loughlin and Daly mentioned, there is a lot going on in the world at the moment, and often Ukraine is not mentioned and is forgotten about because the war has been going on for so long. We are rising to support the motion, however, affirming Ireland’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine. I was asked by the Ceann Comhairle a number of months ago to be the convener of the Ukraine-Ireland parliamentary group, and I was honoured to do so. Last month I, like Senator O'Loughlin, had the honour of visiting Kyiv. It is an amazing city. Even the journey to get there was difficult but, when I arrived, I saw a country and a city that has endured unimaginable hardship, yet one could see the resilience and conviction of the people there.”
“We cannot afford to wait for the next crisis before we act. I have spoken in this House about the need to strengthen the younger entrepreneurs that are coming behind. The next Collisons are probably leaving school now, so we need to focus and make sure those people are empowered to start their companies here. The true measure of a successful budget is not how it looks in the Department's report but how it feels in people's lives. Let us ensure that budget 2026 delivers not just numbers but hopes.”
“When a small business closes, as Senator Nelson Murray mentioned, it is not just a balance sheet loss, it is the end of somebody's dream and livelihood in a locality. Often, a whole community suffers. That is why we need to focus on enterprise policy as social policy. The Minister visited a social enterprise that I started in Greystones and was very receptive to what we do there. It shows that if we back small businesses, we back families, towns and opportunity. I urge the Department and the Minister to adopt a whole-of-government approach and to get serious about investing in, upskilling and transforming our workforce through innovation in order that Ireland can be the best small country in the world in which to start, run and grow a business, not just for multinationals but for the people who call this island home.”
“Tourism is also one of the key features of the Irish economy, and from Killarney to Kilkenny, from the Wild Atlantic Way to the Wicklow mountains, etc., tourism sustains our towns, employs many people and injects energy into every corner of the country. One figure came across our tourism spend. The numbers are similar but the tourism spend has reduced drastically. Therefore, many small operators are close to the brink. We need targeted, smart supports without layers of complicated schemes that seem impossible to access. We need to focus on sustainable tourism that brings life to all the regions of Ireland all year round, not just for the summer months. When we talk about enterprise, we are talking about real people, and behind every budget line and policy there is a human story of a worker, family or student.”
“At the moment the Government is introducing auto-enrolment to make sure that people plan ahead. At the same time, we penalise ordinary savers who have done the right thing and planned ahead, in trying to build security for their families. Every eight years they are hit with a tax bill on profits they have not even cashed out on. That in itself seems senseless and discourages both investment and long-term saving. Fixing this would not cost the State a huge amount of money, but it would send a powerful message that Ireland supports those who plan ahead, take responsibility for their future and believe in building for it. While also discussing enterprise, one thing that is key to our committee is tourism.”
“It has transformed Ireland, created jobs and put us on the global map, but it is also dangerous to rely heavily on a handful of global corporations for our tax base. I live in County Kildare and God help us if Intel or Pfizer or other such companies leave. One change in global tax policy or shift in corporate strategy, as we have seen recently with the US and pharma issues, and we could find ourselves deeply exposed. Strengthening our domestic business space is key. It is not just about economics but also safeguarding our national resilience. One issue I brought up in this House before is the deemed disposal route on index funds. I had hoped that would be addressed in the budget. It perfectly illustrates how outdated parts of our system are. While it sounds technical, if we look at the mechanics of it, it is fundamentally unfair.”
“These are the people that open the shutters every morning, pay the pay cheques at the end of the week and sponsor the local football team. For them, everything seems to be getting tougher. As we have discussed before, energy bills are getting excessive, access to finance is tightening, insurance costs are crippling and, on top of all of that, there is a lot of bureaucracy and red tape. I am sure the Minister is aware that these are the daily realities for people trying to keep their doors open. Budget 2026 was an opportunity to show real belief in these people, but I do not believe it went far enough. Our indigenous enterprises deserve the same level of confidence and commitment we often show multinationals. What the Irish and the IDA have done regarding attracting foreign investment is phenomenal.”
“When we then see the global landscape shifting rapidly, and that we are facing higher interest rates, soaring costs and low confidence, we can see that uncertainty is everywhere, from the war in Europe to worldwide trade tensions regarding tariffs, as we have discussed in this House many times. As a small, open economy, Ireland is squarely in the middle of all this, facing all the headwinds of this turbulence. I do not envy the Minister’s task and I know this moment in time demands leadership. It demands a clear path to protect Irish jobs and strengthen our enterprises. Our small and medium enterprises are the true backbone of this economy and they are under immense strain. We see that weekly in the enterprise committee.”
“I thank the Minister, Deputy Burke. I reiterate what Senator Nelson Murray said to welcome him to the House. I thank him for engaging with us on budget 2026. The budget arrives at a very important time for Ireland. I am a member of the enterprise committee so I know what is happening out in the real world with the small firms, the family businesses, the cafes, the florists and the hairdressers. You can certainly see the pressure mounting. People are working harder than ever before just to stay in business. One statistic came to us at the enterprise committee a few weeks ago which said many businesses are six months away from shutting down and they definitely need supports. While the official economy looks stable, that is simply not what we are hearing on the ground or what people are experiencing.”
“I was looking at the Seanad on TV and wondered if I would make this. Online safety is not just a technical issue for young people, it is also a well-being one. Young people are already dealing with cyberbullying, misinformation and data privacy issues. They must be part of the solution. This peer education initiative respects their lived experience and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. I call on the Minister for education to support the development of this infrastructure for a national pilot programme modelled on It Takes A Village, which was led by a school principal in Greystones, Ms Rachel Harper, who is a pioneer. We need to invest in young digital citizens who can lead with knowledge, compassion and resilience.”
“I am out of breath, a Chathaoirligh. I rise to highlight an innovative child-centred proposal that deserves attention. It is called a peer-to-peer well-being digital licence. It builds on the success of the It Takes A Village project in Greystones and Delgany and offers a way for kids to have digital literacy and online safety in schools. It empowers secondary students to mentor young peers in primary schools, not only to upskill our youth but to also foster leadership in our communities. It is an intergenerational approach that strengthens transitions between school levels and creates a culture of shared responsibility in navigating the digital world. The stairs are very tough to get up after the committee room.”
“Supports for local enterprise whether tax relief or cutting red tape cannot be optional extras in this budget. They are essential to retailers and hospitality providers and community employers. Putting on my other hat, I am of the view that we cannot fail to address the homelessness and housing situation for the most vulnerable. Healthcare, housing, education and mental health must remain key priorities for all of the investment opportunities the budget will allow. With over 16,000 people now in emergency accommodation, 5,000 of whom are children, this budget cannot ignore these people. We must make sure we do not lose sight of climate action with this budget. It cannot be a tick-box exercise. All Departments must focus on climate as a national priority. This is our opportunity to shape a fairer, more resilient Ireland with this budget.”
“I wish to voice my agreement with Senator Ruane's proposal. I wish Senator Andrews safety. I hope that he returns and that everything goes well. I wish to speak about the budget and how it has a real impact on our people and businesses. This week, there were several witnesses before the enterprise committee, of which I am a member. Many said that businesses are six months away from shutting down. Perhaps pride of generational ownership is keeping many of those businesses afloat. We must remember that the budget cannot just be seen as a ledger or as figures. It has to be a statement of our Irish values. I have said many times in this House that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They need support and targeted measures, not more burdens.”
“I am not talking about millions; I am talking about support. When we do that, we are not just creating jobs, we are creating futures. I have the CVs of many people who I met in chaos and on the streets and who, today, have their families, management jobs and are doing so well in life. This is because of the investment in social enterprise.”
“All of that is funded from the social enterprise of Rise at the Cove Café. As a nation, we have invested in infrastructure, technology and housing, but we need to invest in people through models of social enterprise. Social enterprise allows people not to just survive, it can allow them to thrive. When I look back after 20 years of Tiglin, I do not see just centres, cafés or projects; I see hundreds if not thousands of lives changed and families reunited. The communities in which we operate are definitely stronger. That is the true harvest of social enterprise. I ask that we remind ourselves that Ireland has always prided itself on its spirit of innovation and compassion. Social enterprise is underutilised and underemphasised. It is where the two traits of compassion and innovation meet. We need to champion it, scale it and fund it.”
“If we are serious about addressing issues like homelessness, addiction and social inclusion, we have to see social enterprise as a key part of the national strategy. It should not be an optional add-on; it should be seen as a proven pathway to reintegration. When we set out with Tiglin, it was never a vision to start a social enterprise. That became the case, however, and it was a game changer. In the past couple of years, a young lady lost her life in the community of Bray-Greystones. The young people got together after the funeral. They wanted to gather somewhere but they had nowhere to do so. We opened up our café to them. We now have a youth cafe in another building. We have a special psychologist who deals with adolescents and we have a Garda diversion project.”
“It addresses the social challenges that I have mentioned regarding unemployment, exclusion and addiction, but it also drives local economic activity and that strengthens our towns and cities. We have opened a new cafe beside the Four Courts. It is called All Rise and it operates on the same basis. There you can see our guys and girls, trained managers and restaurateurs, and they are serving the judges and barristers from across the road. Across Ireland there are community shops, as my colleagues have stated, repair cafes, housing projects and training hubs. All of these social enterprises are quietly transforming lives. They often occupy the spaces the State cannot reach quickly enough. They do it with innovation, compassion and, definitely, community spirit. We need to do more, however.”
“We have housing, the café, a bakery, a sauna and a crèche. All of that is done as part of a social enterprise. It is a training ground, a stepping stone and a platform where young men and women, many of whom have faced addiction or homelessness, take their first steps back into employment. The customers in the community really buy into what we do. They might see a barista or a manager serving a flat white, but what I see is Tommy or Mary, people who I met years ago on the streets. I see a life that could have been lost, and now they are redirected into a future that is really bright. That is the genius of social enterprise; it tackles two challenges at once.”
“As I look back two decades later, I am reminded of what Steve Jobs from Apple said about how it was only when we look backwards that we can join all the dots. Now, it is somewhat coming together. We started off with a bus, but at the very heart of what Tiglin is is social enterprise, and that has been a huge journey for us. Social enterprise itself is not about charity or business. It is a model that uses a business to deliver social good, where every euro of profit is reinvested into people, communities and futures. What I have found over these 20 years is that Tiglin has taken those who were written off, given them a position and shown that they are as good or bad as any one of us. I have seen this first hand. In recent years, we opened a new café right beside the sea in Greystones.”
“When I talk about social enterprise, policy and Trading for Impact, they are something I know very well to the core. When I started an organisation called Tiglin 20 years ago, I did not have a grand plan. I literally bought a bus, converted it into a restaurant and got a bus licence, and I went out onto the streets after work. I used to park the bus under the Clerys clock on O'Connell Street where I met the most amazing people. These were people who were broken, marginalised, hungry, in addiction and often forgotten. They had been pushed to the margins of society. In stupidity and naivety, a number of us got together and bought the national mountaineering centre. Now, we have eight centres throughout Ireland.”
“They are fleeing war and a lot of them have been maimed. The Government is offering financial incentives for them to leave Ireland and go back to the very place they are fleeing but I do not know how money can solve that issue. I welcome the safeguards that we have for vulnerable individuals. I also welcome the exclusion of those convicted of serious criminality. We have to ensure, however, that no one is pressured, explicitly or implicitly, into returning to unsafe conditions. We must remember that Ireland is a nation built on empathy and justice. I urge the Minister to monitor this scheme and the new recommendations closely. We must ensure transparency and uphold the dignity of every person who seeks refuge on our shores. We must balance the fiscal responsibility with moral leadership.”
“I rise to express concern at the Government’s recent decision to increase the voluntary return allowance for asylum seekers. While I realise the pressures that are on the Government in this regard, the financial allowance for asylum seekers to be processed is approximately €122,000 per applicant. That seems a staggering figure. You have to tread very carefully when incentivising vulnerable individuals to abandon their claims for asylum protection. The incentive will increase to €2,500 per person and €10,000 per family. Even though it might appear pragmatic, the question must be asked as to whether costs are being prioritised over compassion. I deal with many of the individuals. We have a homeless cafe and lately a lot of people have been coming in who are seeking asylum. They are fleeing very real danger.”
“I join Senator Crowe in urging that the Minister be asked to come to the House to discuss how the Government will ensure parity of treatment for all and that decisions made at European level do not fracture the social fabric we work so hard to mend every night in places like the Lighthouse Cafe.”
“It is a space where dignity, unity and compassion are shared in equal measure. The suggested ruling risks undoing the delicate balance we have created. It will not just affect housing policy but also social cohesion. The perception, right or wrong, that Irish people are treated as second-class citizens in their country, while others are fast-tracked for accommodation and support, is a recipe for disaster, resentment and disruption. We never want a repeat of the riots we saw a while back. Ireland absolutely has obligations under the European Union and we must remain a welcoming nation, but not by sidelining our own vulnerable people in the process. It is not about either-or; it is about fairness for all.”
“I read a disturbing article on thejournal.ie this morning about 13 Oireachtas broadcast workers who will have to sign on the dole next week. I want to know what the situation is in that regard. I reiterate the deep concern expressed by my colleague Senator Crowe regarding the upcoming ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union. As he noted, the suggestion is that asylum seekers arriving in Ireland could have stronger entitlements to State support than do Irish citizens who are homeless. I have mentioned many times my involvement in the Lighthouse Cafe on Pearse Street, where we feed people of all nationalities who are experiencing homelessness, including Irish people, asylum seekers, etc. They eat, sing and play bingo together. It is a wonderful place where there is no division.”
“We need to move beyond words, so I am asking the Minister for enterprise to bring forward budget 2026 proposals that include a temporary PRSI rebate for lower paid staff, a review of commercial rates and real reform of public procurement to make it accessible to SMEs. If we continue down the current path, it will be death by 1,000 cuts and we will look back and wonder why we let our economy bleed while we all watched.”
“In the restaurant sector alone, input costs have exploded. I have spoken in the House previously about the fact that beef prices are up by 96%, electricity costs are up by 94%, fruit and vegetable prices are up by 50% and staff costs are unsustainable. The organisations the SFA represents are not faceless corporations; they are local businesses employing local people in every town and village in Ireland. They are the ones that are sponsoring the local GAA teams, the local markets and so on and they are giving young people their first job and creating real community wealth. As I have said before, when the Intels, the Apples and so on leave Ireland, they are the ones that will keep the economy going.”
“Thousands of small businesses across Ireland are crying out for breathing space. In the last few days, we have seen statements from the Small Firms Association, SFA, and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, both of which represent the backbone of our local economy. Between them, they represent everyone from tech entrepreneurs and professional services to family-owned cafés and restaurants, such as my own, that are struggling to keep their doors open. The numbers are stark. According to the Small Firms Association, over half of business owners say they would not be able to survive more than six months without additional supports. Labour costs have risen sharply and commercial rents are climbing. Nearly half of the businesses surveyed say they cannot access the finance they need through the banks.”
“Even though it looks attractive, it is a noxious weed and it is dangerous. I call on the Leader to ask the Department of agriculture to strengthen its inspection regime and increase collaboration with local authorities. Let us ensure public aware of the danger of ragwort to livestock, but also ensure its symbolic invasion does not affect our public space. For ourselves, it is not a good sign that if we look out the back window of Leinster House onto our Merrion Square side, it is growing. There is no honour in permitting it to bloom freely on the lawn of Irish democracy.”
“I raise attention to an escalating issue of the unchecked spread of ragwort across Ireland. I am from the countryside in County Kildare. Even though it is deceptively attractive, and it blooms with bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators, it is classified as a noxious weed under the 1963 Act and it poses a lethal threat to horses and cattle. Landowners who own the land where it grows can face fines up to €1,000. Its spread is a scandal when we see it along the motorways, farmlands and housing estates under the control of the council. Shamefully when we look out the back window of Leinster House, we can see it growing on our lawn. Its spread signals widespread non-compliance and a breakdown in the enforcement mechanisms that once were held in line. We must act decisively.”
“Ukraine must not be forgotten. It is defending the border of Europe. Ireland must continue to stand firm with Ukraine, not just in spirit, but in real, tangible support. Our role in humanitarian assistance was complimented by the ambassador yesterday, but she is asking for advocacy for international accountability in this conflict. Ukraine's fight is a fight to preserve the principle of freedom and sovereignty within Europe, as well as the democratic values that all of us in this House share. I urge the Leader and fellow Senators to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Ukraine during a very dark hour, through aid and solidarity as well as an unwavering voice for peace in Europe.”
“I echo the concerns of my fellow Senators regarding what is happening between Israel and Gaza at the moment. Yesterday, I had a visit from the Ukrainian ambassador and officials from her embassy. She said that it seems that Ukraine is forgotten about. Overnight, there were drones and attacks in Kyiv again. In recent months, Russia has launched more than 1,000 missiles and drones, devastating homes, hospitals and essential infrastructure. An estimated 700,000 Russian troops are currently active in Ukrainian territory. The scale of the destruction is vast. Entire cities have been reduced to rubble. The true toll in civilian numbers is unknown. It is not merely a geopolitical conflict; it is a grave humanitarian crisis. Ireland really played its part and we have certainly welcomed more than 100,000 Ukrainians into Ireland.”