Emer Higgins
Dublin Mid-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“With regard to the background, and as the Senator has touched on, this project was designed on the basis of a 30-year operational lease, with the primary objective of delivering value for money over the lifetime of that lease.”
“Regarding the specific situation in Castlebar that the Senator has raised, Tusla has indicated that following careful consideration, including extensive negotiations, which he referred to, and legal mediation with the developers, it was unable to reach an agreement.”
“They came forward, often at enormous personal cost, and continued to seek answers and accountability when the very systems that should have protected them had failed. For many survivors of child sexual abuse, the abuse does not end when it stops.”
“The strongest projects are those that invest in feasibility studies, site assessments, stakeholder engagement and detailed design from the outset, because decisions made at the earliest stage often have the greatest impact on cost, quality and operational performance.”
“As a result, it made a significant uplift on its original offer. The additional increase sought could not be justified, however, when benchmarked against comparable projects across both Tusla and the HSE. That comes back to the value-for-money argument.”
“Justice Michael White for their significant work and acknowledge how deeply distressing the findings are. They reveal repeated missed opportunities, ignored warning signs and systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur over many years. Children who should have been protected were instead left vulnerable.”
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“To that end, I again thank the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board, the Departments of justice and Health, the Mental Health Commission, the Decision Support Service and everybody who met with me and my officials as part of the consultation we had online in January and at in-person events in recent weeks. In particular, I thank my three officials, Jane Ann, Melanie and Orla, who have worked so hard on this.”
“It is important to confirm on the record not only the Department's willingness but also its eagerness to accelerate the process relating to the overall review of the Act. We are committed to doing that ahead of schedule. The preparatory work is already under way in terms of the lead-up to that review. Consultation will be a big part of that. I ask for Senators' help in promoting the consultation we will engage in, because we want to ensure that we cast the net wide and get all the relevant feedback. Our modus operandi is collaboration with relevant stakeholders.”
“I thank Senators for their engagement on and support for this very important Bill. Most importantly, I thank them for agreeing to take all Stages today. I know that is not the norm, so I really appreciate it. We had a tight timeline. It was very important that we got this done in time to provide legal certainty to wards of court around the country. I thank the Senators, the members of the Committee on Disability Matters, who engaged intensively with me on this, and all those who contributed to the debate on the Bill in the Dáil. This is important legislation for all the people who are involved. I appreciate their co-operation in getting it passed in such a timely fashion. I look forward to not being here again to deal with this.”
“Once the legislative amendments have been signed into law, any remaining wards who have been granted an extension will have additional time to engage with the process and to understand the various supported decision-making arrangements available. My Department has engaged very extensively with the Courts Service. It now has a case management plan in place. It has committed to a number of sittings over Easter, and is confident that it will be able to achieve this through the new deadline.”
“To be clear, a key consideration when we were devising this Bill was the impact that a blanket extension would have on the rights of wards of court and on the ongoing discharge process. For that reason, we decided not to go down that route. That was really because we felt it would not be in line with the principles of the 2015 Act or in line with our obligations under the UNCRPD. Ultimately, it could disrupt and undermine the current discharge processes that are under way in the High Court, and the momentum that is now building in terms of progressing these applications. The courts are continuing to progress discharge applications in line with the requirements of the 2015 Act.”
“The reason for that is because none of us want to be back in this situation in a year's time and need to ask for further time. We do not want that. We want to be able to support our wards of courts through this process. That is what our consultations and the information being provided from the Decision Support Service is about. That is why wanted to make sure that we did not change the deadline. We made it difficult for people. They had to request an extension and a judge had to determine that it was in the interests of justice. The reason for that is because we want to keep momentum on this and ensure that our wards of court, as Senator Murphy O'Mahony said, move through the transformative change in order to get more autonomy, dignity and rights under the UNCRPD.”
“We held a consultation with them and have had an in-person consultation. That is core to what we do. It is a core principle of the human rights strategy for disabled people that there is nothing about us without us. The Senator had a specific query on the phrase "exceptional circumstance". We have left that phrase open to the courts. The reason for that is because we trust the courts to be able to identify an exceptional circumstance, work with the case that is in front of them and, ultimately, to have the discretion to determine how much time can be given as an extension. There is the opportunity for a second extension under this amendment. As I said, the October date is the final cut-off date and only two extensions are allowed.”
“That is the absolute endpoint in terms of the matter being dealt with. That is why we have not moved the target date of 26 April. That is why we have said the relevant bodies need to go to court and get the special exemption they need in order to have additional time to consider a case. A core reason for that is because we want to keep the pressure and momentum on. Senator Harmon used the phrase "Nothing about us without us". That is something that we in the Department and I as Minister of State stand by. That is why when we received approval from Cabinet for amendments to the Act, the first thing we did was hold an online consultation on the same day with some of our key stakeholders in the legal sphere. We followed that up with a paper to our disabled persons' organisations and stakeholders who work in that space.”
“That has now been resolved. It might interest Members to know that additional Courts Service resources have been allocated to this to ensure that we can get through the backlog of cases to which the Senator referred and ensure that people have a timely opportunity to come to court. For that reason, the court is only able to allow extensions to happen in exceptional circumstances. It has to be first proven that there are exceptional circumstances. Senator Tully had a particular query in regard to minor wards. I reaffirm that the Bill only gives discretion to the High Court to extend in certain circumstances. Having said that, through experience we know minor cases can often be particularly complex. Ultimately, whether one is a minor or an adult, 25 October is not a target date.”
“It comprises representatives from the Decision Support Service, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and the Departments of justice and Health, which are key stakeholders in this regard. We will continue to work with them on an ongoing basis. Senator Murphy O'Mahony described the Bill as transformative change and said it was grounded in autonomy, dignity and the rights of persons with disabilities under the UNCRPD. I wrote that down because I completely agree with that assessment and it is a great way of summarising the intent of the Bill. We now need to ensure that some of the feedback we have received since it was passed is taken into account during the review process and any changes or updates that are required or updates happen. Senator Tully spoke about the backlog of legal representation.”
“Our Department is in continual engagement with the Law Society. The Law Society was present at a consultation on this issue that I attended earlier this month or at the end of last month. We had a discussion at that. The lines of communication are very much open because it is really important that we include all stakeholders in this, including legal representatives and others working in this area. Most importantly, it concerns the people who are impacted by this, namely, the wards of court, their families, committees, decision-makers and the Decision Support Service. Our series of consultations has been about engaging with them. In terms of monitoring the specifics of the Act, I can confirm that there is an interdepartmental steering group that meets regularly.”
“One of the obligations under the 2015 Act is a legal obligation that it be reviewed within the first five years of its introduction. A number of concerns the Senator raised, in particular those around enduring power of attorney, will come in under that review. That review was scheduled to begin next year, but in response to the level of concerns, consultation and feedback from Senators and TDs, the Department is now going to engage in that review earlier than planned and preparations are already under way for that it to commence. We hope to be able to commence it this year. The Senator referenced the number of solicitors and legal professionals who have difficulties with aspects of this Bill, in particular with the enduring power of attorney. He also asked for the Department to directly engage with the Law Society.”
“I will aim in the five minutes I have to address the issues that were raised by Senators. I thank them for their engagement on this. It is a really important matter and, as Senator Tully said, it is important that we make a decision to approve this legislation today in the interests of wards of court. Senator Byrne had a concern relating to legal representation. Anyone who has requested free legal aid has got it and everybody has legal representation assigned to them now. That is obviously a really important step because we now need to move through this process and ensure that the 1,000-plus wards of court get to court as soon as possible. Senator McDowell spoke about the Government's obligation to come back and report to the House.”
“This subsection will allow for an extension for such period as the wardship court considers necessary and proportionate in the circumstances where the court is satisfied that good reason has been shown that the statutory deadline for making a capacity declaration will not be met in an individual case, and where it is also in the interests of justice to grant the extension. A further extension will be permitted in exceptional circumstances, provided that this is also in the interests of justice. Again, the outer limit for any extension of time in respect of wards who reach the age of 18 after 26 October 2025 will be 18 months. Section 2 of this Bill is a standard provision which sets out the Short Title.”
“This subsection will allow for an extension for such period as the wardship court considers necessary and proportionate in the circumstances where the court is satisfied that good reason has been shown that the statutory deadline of 26 April 2026 will not be met, and where it is also in the interests of justice to grant the extension. Subsection 54(2A) will also allow for a further extension in exceptional circumstances, provided that a further extension is also in the interests of justice. The outer limit for any extension of time will be 18 months, or until 25 October 2027, whichever is the earlier. The second new subsection, subsection 54(3A), provides for an extension to the timeline set out in section 54(3) for making a capacity declaration, in certain circumstances, in relation to wards who reach the age of 18 after 26 October 2025.”
“Section 1 of the Bill amends section 54 of the 2015 Act by the insertion of two new subsections to give the wardship court the discretion to extend the time periods set out in section 54(2) or section 54(3) for making a capacity declaration under section 55(1) in individual wardship cases in certain circumstances. The first new subsection, 54(2A) provides for an extension for the time period set out in section 54(2) for making a capacity declaration under section 55(1) in relation to an adult ward in certain circumstances.”
“Urgent legislative amendments are required, therefore, to avoid legal uncertainty for the large number of wards who will not receive a capacity declaration before the deadline, which could create complications with important matters such as their care and treatment, provision of services and placement of people in facilities also. The Bill aims to ensure that the transition from wardship is done in a fair and orderly manner, and to provide for as much legal certainty as possible in individual wardship cases. I will now turn to the detail of the Bill. It is divided into two sections and I will outline its key provisions. The Bill amends the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to enable the wardship court to extend, in certain circumstances, the time period for making a capacity declaration under section 55(1) of the 2015 Act.”
“Under section 55(1) of the Act, the High Court - or wardship court as it is referred to under the Act - is required to make a capacity declaration in respect of every adult ward of court. As it currently stands, these capacity declarations must all be made by the statutory deadline of 26 April this year. This capacity declaration is a key step in the discharge from wardship process and it requires the person carrying out a capacity assessment to have met the ward and made a report to the court. The 2015 Act does not provide for a situation where a capacity declaration will not have been made in respect of adult wards within the timeframe allowed.”
“The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act is hugely important legislation which transforms how people are supported where they may not have capacity. The Act prioritises the specific needs and wishes of the individual and it represents an important milestone in bringing Ireland into closer compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 replaced the wards of court system with a new rights-based model for appointing tiered decision support arrangements. Since the commencement of the Act in 2023, wards of court have been moving out of wardship. To the end of February, 391 wards have been fully discharged but some 1,000 remain in wardship awaiting discharge. That is what brings us to today.”
“The last time I was here I gave some of my time to Members, so I look forward to collaborating. I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 to Seanad Éireann following its passage through the Dáil. This Bill is urgent legislation intended to ensure legal certainty for wards of court who are moving to a decision-making process as set out in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. In that regard I very much appreciate the co-operation of the Seanad in allowing all Stages to take place today, which I know Senators are doing in recognition of the need to progress this Bill in as timely a fashion as possible, and I look forward to having the opportunity today to listen to their views and concerns.”
“Ultimately, a number of people stated that they thought there should be better support from a financial perspective. That is something we are taking on board. I have written to the Minister for Finance to see if there is any support he can provide to people in this situation and to the committees going forward. We are on the same page when it comes to consultation. That is why we will be starting our consultation on the review of the legislation ahead of schedule. As I said, preparatory work has already been done and we will be starting that later this year.”
“On Deputy O'Rourke's question, the Department briefed IHREC on the proposed amendments in advance of taking the legislation through the Houses. In the context of Deputy Quaide’s question on resourcing, the decision support services received an uplift in their budget this year for that reason. We trust that the services will use that money accordingly. We all agree that consultation is the name of the game here. That is something the Department has done. When we first got Cabinet approval for thism we immediately went out and consulted with key stakeholders. We did that online and in person. We had a key consultation meeting earlier this month in relation to this Bill. Some of the issues that were raised related to the parameters of financial agreements.”
“That is down to the Courts Service, and to three of my officials, who are here today, namely Jane-Ann Duffy, Melanie Campbell and Orla Cooper, who put a lot of work in following our discussions. I acknowledge them today. I acknowledge that productive meetings were held and specific cases were raised at them and have been discussed. I thank everybody for their engagement on this. It is an important Bill. We will move tomorrow to the Seanad through all Stages, we hope, with a view to getting this moved as quickly as possible so we can provide legal certainty to our wards as they move out of wardship.”
“A key issue that was raised throughout discussions, and both Deputies Ó Murchú and Toole raised it again today, was around the need for meaningful consultation and engagement with stakeholders, including wards and committees. I reiterate my commitment to continued engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including those with lived experience of the provisions of the assisted decision-making legislation. As Deputy Toole has done earlier, I reiterate and reaffirm my Department's commitment to bringing that wider review of the legislation forward earlier than planned. We are beginning preparations with a view to starting that this year. I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for what he has said in relation to St. John of God's. It is great to hear that they were highly impressed by the meetings and consultations that happened afterwards.”
“I thank all Deputies in the House and on the disability matters committee for their constructive and robust engagement on this important Bill, both to date and on Second Stage and Committee Stage. I know there is widespread agreement on the need for this Bill to ensure that wards of court who are due to transition out of wardship have the legal certainty that they require and they are enabled to move through the discharge process in a fair and an orderly manner. It is crucial that both wards and committees are supported as they move through this process of transitioning out of wardship and into the new rights-based framework of decision support arrangements.”
“Achieving gender equality involves us all and it is essential not just for fairness, but for building a more socially and economically sustainable future. I look forward to continuing this positive momentum in the years ahead. I again welcome today's discussion.”
“I know International Women's Day was last week but it is still really important that we make time in this week's Dáil schedule for this debate because debates like this in Chambers like this around the world matter. They matter more now than ever before because, as I saw at first hand last week at the United Nations, progress is stalling internationally. We cannot afford for it to stall and we certainly cannot afford for it to slip. As Ireland prepares to take on the Presidency of the European Union later this month, I am determined that gender equality, and equality and disability more broadly, will be front and centre on our agenda. We will continue working to narrow the remaining gaps between women and men, ensuring that everyone can fully realise their rights and participate equally in society.”
“In June last year, a State delegation led by the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, appeared before the committee in Geneva, an important opportunity to showcase our progress and to reflect honestly on where further work is needed. Our national efforts strongly align with the European Commission's Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, published just the other week, which embeds gender equality across all areas of life, a goal we share in our own domestic policy agenda. We all know the scale of the challenge. The European Institute for Gender Equality estimates that at the current rate of change, it could take 50 years for the EU to reach full gender equality. That is why days like today matter.”
“Developed by the Central Statistics Office and the Department, with input from a cross-government and civil society working group, this strategy requires every Department to commit to collecting, using or sharing equality data, and to building the capacity needed to do so. This will allow us to develop stronger and more inclusive evidence-informed policies that genuinely improve outcomes for everyone. On the international stage, Ireland continues to play an active role in advancing gender equality. We take our responsibilities under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW, very seriously. That is why over the past year, Ireland engaged closely with the CEDAW committee as part of our eighth periodic review.”
“These measures are designed to accommodate a wide range of family structures and support better work-life balance for everyone, including parents. Another key development is the gender pay gap portal, a centralised database where employers can upload their gender pay gap information. Reporting is voluntary until November of this year, giving employers an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and transparency by engaging early. Ireland has also published its first national equality data strategy, covering 2026-2031, the first of its kind not only in Ireland but in the EU.”
“The nine weeks of parent's leave is non-transferable, meaning it can also apply to a parent's spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. Parents do not need to live together to qualify for it. We will continue building on this progress, including examining further extensions of parent's leave, greater flexibilities and the introduction of surrogacy leave - commitments that are firmly embedded in the programme for Government. The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 has also brought important new rights for workers. Parents and carers can now request flexible working and parents of children under 12 can take leave for medical care purposes. In addition, every worker now has the right to request remote working.”
“I am also proud to highlight that the Government has significantly expanded family leave entitlements in recent years. This recognises just how important it is to support parents in balancing care responsibilities with participation in the workforce. In our work to support families, the First 5 strategy, our whole-of-government plan for babies, young children and their families, sets out a commitment to gradually extend paid leave in order that by 2028 parents will have access to a range of family leave supports during the first year of their child's life. As part of the First 5 implementation plan for 2023-2025, we increased parent's leave and benefit for both mothers and fathers, from seven to nine weeks, as of August 2024. It is important that we continue to recognise the diversity of family life in Ireland today.”
“Ireland's National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was launched in November, sets out our plan to advance the rights contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In that context, Article 6 of the convention, which affirms the right of disabled women to the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights - reminds us of the importance of recognising and addressing the specific, intersecting challenges disabled women can face. The strategy's vision is clear. It is to ensure that disabled people have the right to a life without barriers and can participate fully in society on an equal basis with others. It prioritises the values of equality, participation and choice, reaffirming our commitment to creating a society where disabled women are supported to live the lives they choose.”
“We know, for example, that the barriers facing women and girls in education can be even greater for those from Traveller, Roma or migrant communities, or for those who are disabled or marginalised in other ways. That is why national strategies that address these disadvantages are so important. In recognition of this, Ireland published the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy 2024-2030, which includes commitments to support Traveller and Roma women throughout their educational journey. Disabled women, in particular, must be supported so they can access employment opportunities, participate fully in decision-making and seek justice on an equal basis with others.”
“In recent years, Ireland has taken a deeper look at our STEM education policies and updated them to better support gender equality. We have moved beyond simply encouraging girls to take an interest in STEM to now focusing on the deeper structural, cultural and systemic changes that are needed to make real and lasting progress. A key part of this work is our STEM education policy statement 2017 to 2026. That includes targeted actions, such as developing a national accreditation framework to help schools build whole-school cultures grounded in equality, diversity and inclusion. It is also essential that we view gender equality through an intersectional lens. That means recognising that women experience inequality in different ways, depending on their background and circumstances, and ensuring our policies reflect that diversity.”
“Ireland has several programmes in place to support children from all backgrounds in accessing early learning and childcare from an early age. For example, the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme provides two years of free pre-school, with a participation rate of 96% every year. Over 70% of low-income families report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this support. One challenge we continue to address is the under-representation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects, both in school and beyond. This not only reduces the talent available to STEM industries, it also limits the range of perspectives and innovations that are essential for social progress and economic growth.”
“That is why we will keep reviewing and strengthening our laws to respond to new and evolving forms of abuse, including as part of the transposition of the EU violence against women directive. Looking ahead, Ireland will continue to explore ways to strengthen victim reporting systems and raise public awareness. Of course, during our upcoming Presidency of the European Union, we will use that as a platform to advance greater online safety and stronger protections for women and children against the misuse of digital technologies. Our commitment also extends to eliminating gender-based bullying in education settings and ensuring that learning environments actively promote gender equality. Access to high-quality early learning and childcare is a key part of this as it has a profound impact on a child's development, learning and social skills.”
“Online spaces are new forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including online abuse, harassment, sexual exploitation, including of minors, and technology-facilitated coercive control. Addressing these risks is essential if we are to achieve true zero tolerance. Ireland has already taken important steps to tackle this, including criminalising the non-consensual sharing of intimate images under Coco's Law. That legislation intentionally uses a broad definition of "intimate image" so it includes any visual representation of a person, including images that have been altered or manipulated, like deepfakes. It also means that it is not just a crime to share intimate images under Coco's Law; it is a crime to threaten to share them. However, we know we still have much more to do.”
“Objective 4 of the national strategy, "Being Safe", places a strong emphasis on eradicating violence and eliminating all forms of harassment against women and commits to delivering high-quality services for women and children who have experienced domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. Alongside that and ensuring that our approach is gender-sensitive and survivor-centred, there is also a strong emphasis on prevention. That means challenging the harmful beliefs and stereotypes that allow gender-based violence to occur and raising awareness of the many forms it can take. We also have to recognise the growing risks posed by cyberviolence. The online environment is constantly evolving and, with it, new and sometimes unexpected threats emerge.”
“That is why an intersectional approach has been central to this work, ensuring that the strategy aligns with key national politics and reflects the diverse realities of all women and girls. That is also why we ensured the strategy sits firmly within our broader equality agenda, connecting closely with frameworks such as the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028, which was launched in July 2024, and the national LGBTIQ+ inclusion strategy which was launched in June of this year. As part of this wider equality focus, one of the strategy's central priorities is addressing gender-based violence and the harassment of women. That is closely linking it to the zero-tolerance strategy, which is Ireland's national domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy.”
“Their involvement makes sure it reflects the real priorities of women and girls at every stage of their lives. The insights from the National Youth Assembly were especially valuable, helping to ensure that the strategy places a strong focus on how we can better support the next generation. While strategies are important, we must also ensure that we are taking meaningful action to ensure that strategies are fully implemented. That is why the national strategy for women and girls will be delivered through two action plans, with the first running from 2026 to 2028. As we move from planning to delivery phases, we also have to recognise that some women's experiences are different from others. That is because women's experiences are simply not all the same.”
“The vision for this whole-of-government strategy is simple but essential: an Ireland where all women and girls can thrive in a truly gender-equal society. Our commitment to advancing equality between women and men is long-standing, but this strategy brings renewed clarity and purpose and places women and girls firmly at the centre of Government action. It outlines a wide set of objectives, each designed to reduce inequalities to make sure women are supported to reach their full potential. In developing that strategy, the Department worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including the National Youth Assembly and the National Women's Council of Ireland. I was delighted to meet representatives from both of those organisations during the Commission on the Status of Women event in New York last week.”
“It reflects real progress across a range of areas that matter to women and girls, from health and education to business and economic participation. We are also seeing the impact culturally and socially. Irish women continue to excel in sport, science, business, media and across the arts, as we saw again this weekend with Jessie Buckley's continued success. Their achievements are helping to reshape how we see ourselves as a society and who we imagine ourselves becoming. However, what we know is that there is still much work to be done. As a Government, we have been taking a structured and systematic approach to closing the remaining gaps. One key milestone was the launch by the Minister, Deputy Foley, of the new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 last November.”
“We remain fully committed to supporting women's full and meaningful participation in public life and to eliminating all forms of violence so that women and girls everywhere can lead empowered, equal lives. With all of that in mind, I am really pleased to take this opportunity to update Members on the significant progress we have made in advancing gender equality, progress that is clearly reflected in Ireland's rising position on the EU gender equality index. Gender equality is one of the core values of the European Union and I am proud to say that Ireland now ranks sixth in the EU, an improvement from ninth place just two years ago. It speaks to our continued commitment to making gender equality a reality both here at home and in our work internationally. This improvement has not just happened by accident.”
“That is something that Ireland and I and, I am sure, every female Minister, in particular, are absolutely determined to push back against. This year's theme was not "Give to Gain", as many people have been stating. Rather, this year's theme, as defined by the United Nations, was ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls. It looked at ways in which we can build fairer, more inclusive legal systems, remove discriminatory laws and practices and tackle the deeper structural barriers that hold too many women back. Being part of these conversations with global partners was a powerful reminder of the work still ahead but also of the leadership Ireland can offer.”
“I wish to start by thanking and welcoming everyone to the Dáil Chamber today. In particular, I wish to pay tribute, as the Ceann Comhairle has done, to Ms Brigid Walsh, who is 90 years of age and has just left the Gallery. It is great to see women of all ages here today. It is a real honour to be here celebrating International Women's Day, which took place last week, and recognising the wonderful women who shape our lives, our communities and our country. I am especially glad to be here on the back of my attendance at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York last week, which was an inspiring and informative few days. It was not particularly uplifting, however, as there is definitely a real and palpable sense of progress internationally stalling on this issue.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this. I am really sorry to hear of this and would be happy to engage with the Deputy to get the details of the situation, if his constituent is willing to share them. I will take it up directly with the HSE for the Deputy.”
“Today is an opportunity to celebrate the real progress we have made, but it is also an opportunity to think about what we need to do differently, and to look forward with renewed hope and determination to brighter futures, not just here but also abroad, where women and girls need that hope now more than ever. Ultimately, that is what this is all about. It is about ensuring every girl in Ireland and across the world grows up knowing her opportunities are and should be unlimited, that she is and should be valued, and that she is capable and can lead, shape and contribute to the future of society, her country and our globe. I thank the Acting Chair for taking the opportunity to ensure this debate happened today.”
“I very much look forward to seeing a complete democracy in Ireland. As Minister of State with responsibility for disability, I am especially proud of the national human rights strategy for disabled people that was launched last year. It was launched and co-created with disabled people. Together with the national strategy for women and girls, these two strategies have the power to deliver meaningful change in the lives of disabled women and girls. This Government remains firmly committed to advancing gender equality, both here at home and on a global stage. I wish to take a moment to talk about women from outside of Ireland. There is so much work to do and we are honest about that here in Ireland, but we also need to be honest about that internationally.”
“As a backbench TD when I was first elected to Dáil Éireann, that is something I tabled my first legislation on. It is fantastic to see it come to fruition. It is also vital we speak about gender equality in an intersectional way because women do not share a single experience. As we have heard from contributions today, background, ethnicity, disability and income circumstances all shape the challenges women face. If we want genuine equality, we must design policies that reflect and respect this diversity. I appreciate the warning we heard today regarding democracy, but to maybe give a different perspective on that, I believe our democracy is unfinished. It is unfinished until we have better and adequate representation - not just women, but also disabled people and people from different ethnic backgrounds and minorities.”