Fiona O'Loughlin
Administrative Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Some 400 remote working hubs were also put in place, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic, when we all had the realisation that some work - not all work - can be done remotely. The local enterprise boards are doing an incredible job in rural areas. I am speaking from experience.”
“I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming both the Belgian ambassador and my friends Joeleen and James. Anyone who has visited Chat N' Chew in Newbridge will have met Joeleen. I certainly hope her lunch today will be up to the usual standard at Chat N' Chew. It was lovely to meet with our former colleague Catherine Martin last night.”
“Continuing the theme of Kildare connections, she is a grand-niece of the late Rathangan author Maura Laverty, who wrote many books and wrote the very first soap opera for RTÉ, "Tolka Row". We wish Áine well on her retirement. I wish to talk about a serious issue relating to the blueway.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her positive response. In terms of premises, I had meetings with Jigsaw over the years in Newbridge and we did look at various premises. No later than yesterday, I spoke to the chief executive of Kildare County Council in relation to this.”
“We know young people are showing signs of stress or anxiety and that it is a very stressful and anxious world. Interventions can be made at this stage. The reason I have tabled this Commencement matter is that I have been advocating for a long time for Newbridge to have a Jigsaw service.”
“I always hate talking about these figures, but in terms of the rate of youth suicide, Kildare has the highest rate in Leinster. According to CSO figures, 14 people died by suicide in Kildare in 2023, in 2022 the figure was 26 and in 2021 it was 27. Demand is rising sharply for services.”
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“I know the Minister of State with responsibility for special education has weekly meetings with the NCSE to make sure that there are placements and enough special schools, 16 of which have opened in the last two years, and places within mainstream schools to make the appropriate placements that are there. Senator Crowe spoke about tourism, that the figures for 2025 are negative, to say the least, showing a 13% decrease in expenditure from the same time last year, and that there seems to be a lack of clarity between the different figures. We need clarity. Importantly, we need to have a full debate on tourism. Tourism brings in so much money for our economy. Following Covid, we still have not got to where we were before. We will look for a full debate on tourism. Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the survey of parents.”
“He spoke about a particular situation regarding the transfer of a child because the child was deemed to be age-appropriate to go to another school. Obviously we do not have the information on individual cases. Parents should be consulted. I know we have a much larger number of SENOs now than we did in the past. In my experience, having the extra number of SENOs has been very useful in liaising with parents, principals and the NCSE. Parents need to be part of the process. There need to be clear pathways. Special education is a key priority for this Government and the programme for Government has shown that.”
“We also need to do it through some of the community organisations that we are lucky to have around the country, like the men's and women's sheds, Active Retirement and all of these different organisations that can actually get the word out. We will ask the Minister to come in and talk about how we can raise publicity and advise people how to deal with these things. Senator McCarthy congratulated President-elect Catherine Connolly. I know we all look forward to the inauguration next Tuesday. He acknowledged the current President, Michael D. Higgins, and his wife, Sabina, for all of their support and the compassion that was the cornerstone of Michael D.'s presidency. He thanked the President for all the support he has shown Tiglin. Senator Boyle spoke about the increasing number of families reaching out in relation to special education.”
“Ireland has always taken a leading role in COP in terms of different negotiations and formed part of the negotiation team for Baku last year. It is important that Ireland works closely with the Danish Presidency and the upcoming Cypriot one on COP and climate issues before we come into our Presidency. Senator Murphy O'Mahony spoke about scams. She is right to raise this. It is shocking and shameful to see so many people losing money. As she rightly pointed out, people lose confidence in their ability to deal with people and deal with their own financial transactions. Nobody wants to hand that over to anybody else. A lot of these scammers are professional. They are elaborate. We need a publicity campaign.”
“Senator Noonan looked for the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to come to speak about competitiveness funding and expressed concerns for projects regarding biodiversity and wildlife. He mentioned that it seems there could possibly be a redistribution of funds through the competitiveness funding. We will certainly ask the Minister of State to come in and address that. It is an important issue. Senator Noonan also spoke about COP. The Taoiseach is there at the moment. I think two Ministers will be there representing the State. There is a roadmap, the Baku to Belém roadmap, with key outcomes that does not have to be negotiated. That is an important roadmap that will be unveiled at the end. There will also be debates and negotiation on just transition, capacity building, forests and gender.”
“It is a sad fact that those who went to industrial schools, unfortunately, were always labelled as having a conviction. Work is ongoing to make sure that those convictions are overturned. It is important that work is going on. We are all concerned about the four people that are there. We should ask them to come off the strike while mediation is going on. That is for their health. As we go into colder, damper, wetter times, we all have to be concerned. I understand that doctors and paramedics come out to them on a regular basis to make sure that they are getting the help and the support they need. That would be my ask, that the hunger strike stops while the mediation process is going on.”
“However, given that the work that is ongoing will not be completed until 2030, we will certainly look for a culvert to be put in at this time. This gives rise to the wider issue of flooding and the need for a debate in the House on ensuring all our local authorities are assisted to support businesses and residents. Senator McCormack spoke about day 47 of the hunger strike of the survivors of industrial and reformatory schools. All of us across the House have spoken about it and we are all concerned about it. The Taoiseach met the group formally twice and also informally. The mediation process restarted yesterday, which is good. It started before, but unfortunately the key mediator was taken ill so a new mediator has come in. Work is ongoing behind the scenes on the medical cards.”
“Senator Blaney also mentioned that Senator Gallagher has been supportive in looking for funding for the southern end of the route between Castleblayney and Ardee. We will include that in our correspondence to the Minister. Senator O'Donovan spoke about flooding in Bantry and mentioned that another 22 businesses were flooded during the week. That has a huge impact on lives, quality of life and people trying to go about their daily business and make a small amount of money every day to pay the overheads. When something like that happens and impacts their businesses, it is sad and shocking. That is quite apart from the residents who are affected. The Senator is correct that we need to look for an early warning system. I do not know how that can be done technically.”
“It is for the benefit of people living in Northern Ireland and the Republic and will save lives when it has been put in place. The Senator asked that we write to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the minister, Liz Kimmins MLA, to encourage and offer support to finding a pathway. As the Senator said, we are at a crucial point because another court case is coming up on this matter. We need to have co-operation. I understand the minister, Andrew Muir MLA, has also been very co-operative. We need co-operation between the ministers, Mr. Muir and Ms Kimmins, and all public representatives on both sides of the Border. Senator Blaney mentioned three specific ones, but we ask that all raise their voices and show their support. This absolutely needs to happen. We need to get it right because if we do not, we may not have another chance.”
“We started this morning with Senator Blaney who spoke about the N2 and A5, particularly the A5. This has been ongoing for a long time. I think the agreement was made in 2009. The Senator has brought this up several times and I thank him for being a champion for it. We need champions for different infrastructure projects in different forums. My understanding is that a commitment has been made by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I read somewhere a few weeks ago that he recommitted to that financial commitment. Commitments have been made by Stormont as well. The Senator is right that everyone needs to work together and be on the same page to deliver this. This is about the shared island of Ireland. It is why we have the shared island unit, to make sure projects are implemented.”
“The Order of Business is expressions of sympathy on the death of former Senator Billy Lawless, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude at 12.45 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 1, statements on international development and the diaspora, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 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 each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.”
“It is not just about preserving land; it is about honouring Ireland's natural and cultural heritage, as well as ensuring its future legacy. I would welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, to Kildare. I know he passes the Curragh on a regular basis. I ask him to stop off. We would be delighted to show him some of the jewels in Kildare's crown.”
“The Curragh is Ireland's largest inland open plain and one of the largest in Europe. It is one of the largest areas with ancient grassland and it is important that we conserve and preserve it. The Curragh has rare flora and fauna and important archaeological sites, such as the Gibbet Rath and Donnelly's Hollow. It is home to the racing industry and to the Army. It is a fabulous area for people to walk and explore. The benefits include that it would involve professional stewardship, which is what we need. It would encourage responsible tourism and community involvement and unlock resources for trails, signage and proper parking. Unfortunately, many cars pull up on the Curragh and they are destroying it.”
“I appeal to the Minister of State to examine the possibility of the Curragh becoming a national park. The State has had to purchase areas to become national parks in the past. In this case, the land is already in the ownership of the State, albeit under the management of the Department of Defence at this point. The Curragh deserves this status to protect its unique ecological, historical and cultural significance, as well as to ensure its proper management. We have a lot of ongoing threats such as environmental damage and antisocial behaviour. I introduced a Bill to amend the Curragh of Kildare Act to stop illegal encampments. Unfortunately, we see these every year, from Easter through to Hallowe'en. Millions of euro have been spent cleaning up waste, etc. It is beyond time that we had the proper controls in place.”
“It is about appealing to the hearts and minds of those who live in and come and visit Ireland about how we all need to work collectively to protect the biodiversity that we are so lucky to have in this country. One of the areas I want to focus on - it will be no surprise to Senator Noonan or to the Minister of State - is the Curragh. As the Minister of State will be aware, it was agreed in the programme for Government that a conservation plan for the Curragh would be implemented and as part of that, that there would be a management plan to ensure preservation, with careful consideration in relation to which agency would be best suited to this historic landscape. I think the NPWS would be the one that is best suited. Why does the Curragh of Kildare deserve this?”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, to the Seanad. Rarely have we had an opportunity to have a Minister of State so well matched to his brief. I acknowledge the former Minister of State, Senator Noonan's same passion, commitment, dedication and, indeed, expertise and knowledge. I welcome the Minister of State's speech, in which he showed his clear commitment to where we were now and where we needed to go. It is quite incredible to think that, in 2020 when Senator Noonan came into the position, there was a budget of €28 million and now it is €78 million. It is thanks to both of them that we have that. Of course, money is needed but it is about more than money, too.”
“It is true that An Post has untapped potential in the context of doing more and making a significant additional contribution across many areas of public business and community life. Many older and younger people are not necessarily au fait with filling in forms on computers, etc. There is a ready-made business opportunity for those who work in the post office community. I urge the Minister of State and other Ministers to examine all of the different areas on a cross-departmental basis to help support post offices and continue to breathe life into all of our communities and encourage them to thrive and survive.”
“One of the issues, as the Minister of State mentioned, is that Irish post offices are typically independent businesses. Not everybody is aware of that. They believe that postmasters receive a salary rather than being paid per transaction. That is particularly unfair in smaller communities where there are not as many transactions but post offices are providing a lifeline. I say that about urban areas as well as rural ones because not far from here two post offices closed last year. That is a retrograde step. Unless support is provided to post offices that will happen more frequently. I am very appreciative of the fact that the Minister of State said he is open to working with other Departments in terms of the type of business that post offices can carry out.”
“That is also the case in Newbridge, where it is always a pleasure to go into Brendan, Marie, Frances and John in a busy and more urban post office. They are always there to serve the community and people. Post offices, together with local libraries, are the most important buildings and institutions, for want of a better word, in local communities. People can gather and carry out their business. It also provides an opportunity to socialise which many may not have elsewhere. As my colleague, Senator Comyn said, during Covid when people could not mix or socialise post offices came into their own and gave of their time and provided support to so many who needed it. There are 17 post offices in south Kildare. Those who operate them provide the same dedication as those I have mentioned.”
“The Minister of State is very welcome. He takes this matter very seriously and is committed to supporting our post offices in all of the communities that they serve. I understand there are 960 post offices. When I was a child growing up in Rathangan, the highlight of any day or week was the possibility of calling in to Mollie Forde, our local postmistress. She knew every single child and adult. She knew if somebody was doing exams. When someone turned 18, she would put them on the electoral register. She was a treasure in a small town. That has carried through to her son-in-law Alan, and to Shane and Connie. The untold small gestures and kindnesses that they provide for their customers is huge.”
“Millions of people have fled to neighbouring countries which are hosting many millions of Sudanese refugees and that is causing problems there. We need to have more humanitarian support and we need sustained pressure on warring parties to cease hostilities and work towards a political solution. We need to have a debate in this House on that soon.”
“I want to give a shout out to Berney Brothers saddlery in Kilcullen, County Kildare, which is in existence 145 years. They are master craftspeople in making saddles for all the top trainers and jockeys in the country. Brendan Clifford retired last week after 51 years. Members of the Clifford family have all been involved since the start of the Berney Brothers saddlery 145 years ago. Brendan joined straight from school in the early 1970s. I want to say well done and congratulations to Brendan and I wish continued success, of course, to the wonderful family business that is Berney Brothers. I want to briefly mention Sudan and the situation there. The humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with 25 million people inside the country urgently needing assistance.”
“The issue I want to mention, and we may look for a debate on this, is the supports that are needed for the men's shed and women's shed movements. I mentioned some of them. In Kildare, the men's shed in Rathangan has restarted but they do not have a physical place to meet. At the moment their meetings are around walking and outdoors, which in itself is wonderful, but it is obviously important as we approach the winter months that they have a physical place to be. Regarding the women's shed, while there is an overall movement to help co-ordinate and organise men's sheds, that is not there for the women's shed movement. I believe it should be in place and that more Government funding should go to help support both the men's shed and the women's shed.”
“I welcome the women from Templeogue Women's Shed whom I met on the way in. It is wonderful to hear that the women's shed is thriving in Templeogue. I want to speak generally about the women's shed and men's shed movements. They are a wonderful asset to communities in both urban and rural Ireland. The men's shed movement originated in Australia and came to Ireland in about 2011. I have the good fortune to work with a number of the men's sheds in my own county of Kildare. The women's shed movement started at a later stage and it is a wonderful way if making friends and fostering inclusion. Only last week I met some of the women from Newbridge Women's Shed. It has about 80 members. Those who moved to the town in the recent past and knew nobody there beforehand have said it has been a lifeline.”
“I know a meeting was called and scheduled with Kieran Mulvey as mediator but for some reason it was postponed. It needs to happen and this needs to be sorted. Every one of us here has compassion and has a heart. The Minister should come in and address us on this issue.”
“Go raibh ráth agus bláth uirthi ina ról nua mar Cheann Stáit agus go leana sí ag spreagadh muintir na hÉireann le ceannaireacht, croí agus cumadh. I know we all look forward to celebrating her inauguration together this day next week. There is another issue I wish to bring up to seek debate in the House on. I acknowledge that many from different parties have already raised this issue. Yet again coming through the gates, I saw the four survivors on hunger strike. Nothing happened during the recess, which is very saddening, disappointing and frustrating. It is absolutely wrong. The four are Miriam Moriarty Owens, Mary O'Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene and Maurice Patton O'Connell. They are basically looking for two things. These are the Health (Amendment) Act cards, which provide enhanced medical coverage and State contributory pensions.”
“He was a Tipperary man but lived in Edenderry. I served as a councillor when he was a councillor, and with Kildare and Offaly sharing a border there was many a time we spoke to each other and co-operated on different things. He was an absolute gentleman who was dedicated to public service. He had a huge connection to the community in Edenderry. He was committed and approachable. He was full of integrity. I know he gave great help and support to those Fianna Fáil councillors who came after him, including Councillors Robert McDermott and Claire Murray. On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I give our deepest sympathies to his wife Carmel and his son Donny, and to the extended family. Ar son Fhianna Fáil, déanaim comhghairdeas ó chroí le Catherine Connolly ar a togadh mar Uachtarán na hÉireann.”
“On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I express our sadness on hearing of the passing of Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, who was rightly revered for her lifelong dedication to social justice, especially her work with the homeless, immigrants and marginalised communities in Ireland. She earned deep respect and admiration. We can look back at the organisations she co-founded: Focus Ireland, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and the Sanctuary. I took one quote from her many wonderful sayings, that belonging is a basic human need. Without it, people feel isolated, invisible and powerless. It is a very strong statement about inclusion, something we should all reflect on. May she rest in peace. I also mention a former Fianna Fáil councillor who passed away last week. Councillor Noel Bourke served from 1991 to 2019 in Offaly.”
“We need to have a debate in this House on local government staffing because, all too often, the answers and replies that councillors, other public representatives and the public receive state that, due to decreased staffing levels, projects are not being delivered. We need to deliver them.”
“Now he has brought action to those words. The last issue I want to raise is workforce planning. I understand that local authorities around the country are in the process of doing that now. Workplace planning is very important. It means a strategic approach to ensuring the right people with the right skills are in place to deliver public services effectively and sustainably. It is vital for improving service delivery and, of course, economic and community development under any of our local authorities. Staffing levels are currently being assessed. In Kildare in particular, which has two constituencies but only one council, and which has one of the fastest-growing populations, we urgently need more staff to meet the rising demand for services and support strategic growth in housing, community and infrastructure.”
“This is a very powerful example of grassroots activism and how it can absolutely influence European policy. It is important that we wish Séamus well and that we possibly look at some type of engagement down the line because he is taking a very important role. Yesterday was a milestone day for Jennie's law. I absolutely so appreciate that in December 2023 the Members of this House gave their full support to the Second Stage of Jennies' law when I brought that Bill forward. We are now in a very significant space in this regard and I want to pay a huge tribute to Jason who has advocated relentlessly since the very sad and tragic passing of his sister Jennifer in April 2021. I thank the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. From day one when we examined proposals that would introduce a Jennie's law, he has been a very firm supporter.”
“On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I too extend my voice of welcome to the Austrian ambassador. I also extend condolences to the Calnan family and to the Labour Party. Tomorrow is an important day, not just in Brussels but across Europe, for an Irishman Séamus Boland who is the first Irish person to take the presidency of the European Economic and Social Committee, EESC. Many of us got to know Séamus through Irish Rural Link. He is an Irish community leader and a farmer. He is to be inaugurated tomorrow as president of a very significant organisation. Séamus has been a lifelong advocate for civil society and for rural communities. He attributes a lot of his success in life to his involvement with Macra na Feirme and through learning speech and drama, about which I had a very interesting conversation with him only recently.”
“It is absolutely essential that we focus on attracting new businesses and investments that support and nurture existing businesses, both small and large. The world of disability, as the Taoiseach will know, is personal to me and welcome that he has taken a very keen interest. The Taoiseach has highlighted the deficiencies in the present system so I do not need to articulate them. Supporting and empowering people with disabilities is fundamental. In the spirit of Shackleton, whose legacy was born in Kildare and forged on ice, we all need to lead with vision. Shackleton did not wait for perfect conditions. He acted with purpose. So must we. Taoiseach, it is an honour to serve.”
“As a nation, we have shown resilience, but it is not just about surviving – we need to help and empower people and communities to thrive. The Taoiseach's voice matters not just in the Dáil Chamber and Seanad Chamber but on the international stage in relation to war and displacement. Through the Taoiseach, Ireland has become a beacon of diplomacy and peace through his empathic and decisive leadership on the world stage. I thank him for his unwavering support for the Palestinians, the Ukrainians and for highlighting the wider threat of Russian aggression against Europe. Closer to home there are many issues that we all want to highlight but I want to include local voices. Councillors who fight every day for those they represent need to be given more control when it comes to decisions that impact their communities.”
“The reason I mention him relates to all the leadership qualities he displayed, namely calmness under pressure, decisiveness and the ability to adapt to changing conditions, highlighting the importance of international co-operation, especially in hostile environments. Shackleton led his crew with unwavering resolve. He did not promise ease; he promised effort. He did not offer certainty; he offered he offered hope. Today, we face our own storms and we must all lead with clarity, conviction and compassion. That is what we deserve from our Taoiseach, and it is most certainly what we get from him. I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive briefing on his priorities. No matter what side we sit on, all of us here are deeply invested in the future of Ireland.”
“I welcome Councillor Caroline O'Reilly, who is with us this morning. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach. Gabhaim buíochas leis as a chuid focal. Last Friday, thanks to national and local funding, we had the opportunity to open the Shackleton museum in Athy. Shackleton, as the Taoiseach knows, was from Kilkea, just a few miles away. He is famous for having demonstrated great leadership skills on three Antarctic expeditions, including the famous Endurance expedition. Endurance is an important strength that is sometimes underestimated but that we all absolutely need in politics. Shackleton was not a politician, even though he did contest the Westminster election in 1906.”
“Seven young people with autism who are non-verbal attend a service there twice a week. The service gives great support to the young people and their families who are from Meath and north-west Kildare. Some of these families contacted me. Unfortunately, a complaint was made within the library services that some noise was emanating from the autism service. The library service has decided that this is not an appropriate place for the autism service to continue. I contacted Meath County Council and I spoke to Councillor Caroline O'Reilly, who is very supportive of trying to find a space for the families. It goes to the question of how we support people with disabilities and their families. We have to support them and find safe and inclusive spaces for them to have their journey. It is a matter about which we need to have a wider debate.”
“We know from statistics, behind which are heartbroken families, that approximately one in five pregnancies in Ireland ends in miscarriage. That is approximately 50 every day. In addition, approximately 250 babies are stillborn every year. Féileacáin does a wonderful job supporting heartbroken and bereaved parents. I know that from a friend of mine who sadly lost twins. One was stillborn and the other died a few hours later. Féileacáin does incredible work at a really important and difficult time for mums, dads and all of the extended family, etc. It is important we acknowledge and recognise the work Féileacáin does and say to families that we are thinking of them. I also raise an issue that has occurred at a hub in Enfield where the library is colocated with other businesses.”
“On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the former Senator, Professor James Doolan. I remember him coming to my house when my father was a councillor. There were lots of visitors and, living out in the country, one always looked forward to those who came canvassing for the Seanad election. He stood out. There was just something very special about him. I think part of that was because of his sister, Lelia, who was the most wonderful actress. My parents were big into theatre and drama at the time and that connection was an important one. We remember him fondly. As the Cathaoirleach said, he added a lot to the Seanad and to academia. There are a number of issues I wish to raise. The first is the fact that today starts Baby Loss Awareness Week. It is an important week for so many.”
“Initially, when I saw two new centres were to be opened, without knowing where they were, I assumed and wrote to the Minister of State on the basis that one of them would be in Newbridge. It is not good enough to say that the services are online. I agree that it is better than nothing and it is good to have a cohort online, but young people who have a huge sense of helplessness need to have face-to-face and one-to-one contact. I again make the appeal that Newbridge be considered in the next round.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge that I spoke to the Minister's adviser yesterday. I am not at all happy with that response. I went through the statistics earlier. County Kildare has the highest rate of youth suicide in Leinster. That has to stand for something. I always try to be positive about my town and my county because I believe in being positive. I do not believe in being negative. but I am so disappointed by this response and the budget allocation. I accept that no new physical location has been put in place since 2020. I talked to Jigsaw and the HSE and I had discussions with the previous Minister of State with responsibility for mental health. I was told that after Wicklow and Tipperary, Newbridge was next in terms of need.”
“The waiting list for CAMHS has doubled over the past number of years. In 2021, there was a total of 24 suicides across all ages. I really do not like bringing negative stats into it but only four areas were higher. It exceeded the national average for all years from 2011. The number of cases of young people treated for cocaine in Kildare increased by 125% between 2019 and 2021. I brought Jigsaw to Newbridge and we looked at possible places. I genuinely felt that, once extra funding was put into this, Newbridge would get that but, sadly, it has not. I am asking the Minister and the Department to assess feasibility and the community need. We all know the Jigsaw hub would not only support mental health but also foster resilience, inclusion and long-term well-being in our county. It has to be a priority going forward.”
“It is understandable that if we have the highest population of young people, we are going to have one of the highest rates of issues with regard to the need for intervention for young people. The number of under-25s in Kildare is actually higher than the total population of each of the following counties: Offaly, Cavan, Sligo, Roscommon, Monaghan, Carlow, Longford and Leitrim. It is evident that the profile of the county's population has not yet peaked and there is going to be an increased demand for young people's services over the next decade. That scale of need is not reflected in current national resource allocation. In 2020, the number of young people admitted to a psychiatric unit or a child or adolescent unit was far higher than the State rate of 14.4%. It was the seventh highest admittance rate in Ireland.”
“I am delighted that the young people of Waterford and Clare are going to have the opportunity to have this service but I want to highlight why it is needed in Newbridge and why I am so disappointed that, yet again, we have been left out. I have raised this several times here and have had a number of Commencement matters in relation to it. I also have a report from the children and young people's services committee, CYPSC, and Ms Emma Berney, who does an incredible job as co-ordinator of the CYPSC programme in Kildare. From some of the stats she has put together in her most recent report, we know from the census of 2022 that Kildare has the highest number of young people aged under 24 years in the State, representing 36.6% of our total population.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for being here. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was keen to be here but she had a prior commitment and I appreciate that the Minister of State is here on her behalf. The issue I raise relates to Jigsaw and my disappointment at the fact that we did not get a Jigsaw service for Newbridge and surrounding areas in the budget announced last week. I will prove the need for it. I will also refer to the fact that, having raised this matter several times in this House and in the Dáil, there was certainly a view that Newbridge was going to be next on the list. Jigsaw provides a really good service. I know it is currently in 12 different areas around Ireland and will be in two more.”
“For now, we have to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and help it on its path to accession to the EU. All that remains for me to say is that I commend the motion and I appreciate the support that has been shown. Slava Ukraini.”
“That is how his family chose to celebrate him, as a warrior. We also remember Pierre Zakrzewski, who was a Franco-Irish citizen and journalist. Very early on in the war, he went out to bear witness. The point was well made about the journalists. They are going out to document war so that the rest of the world can see and hopefully act. We lost Pierre at a very early stage. There are many really great people in Ireland who have helped to support the Ukrainian people who have come here. They include Emma Lane-Spollen, Angie Gough and Jill Robinson, to mention a few. It is important that we speak and speak often. The Middle East has taken over in terms of wars globally. Hopefully, with the actions of the last few days, we will continue to see progress there.”
“All life is important and there is now an estimate that roughly 1.8 million people have been killed since the war of aggression started. That certainly includes a very large number of military personnel, but those lives are important, too. Many of those who have been sent out in Russian armies have done so because they have been conscripted. It is not because they have joined voluntarily. Some 1.8 million people have been killed in three years. It is incredulous that this is happening under our watch. I acknowledge that Senator McCarthy is chair of the friendship group. He is doing a really good job. He mentioned Mr. Robert Deegan, a young man from my own town who went out to Ukraine twice. He lost an eye and came home. When he recuperated, he went back again. There was a very fitting tribute to him at the Hill of Allen when he passed.”
“It is no way to try to have normality in life, work, have a family and be in contract with parents, neighbours or extended family. Those who have left Ukraine are increasingly worried all of the time about phone calls they may get at any point in time about family, friends and neighbours. That is not a way to live your life. We are at a stalemate, as my colleague Senator Daly said. We do not see any movement. Within Europe, we are looking at the 19th set of sanctions. While we look forward to those coming and it is important we continue with sanctions, there is no sign that they are being taken in any way seriously by Russia, in that Russia is not making any type of preparation to look to the future and be able to try to live in peace as neighbours and come to a resolution.”
“It is also very concerning, as the Minister of State said, that Russia remains a permanent member of the security council while absolutely undermining the very foundation of the international rules-based system on which the UN is based. That is certainly something that hugely concerns me. The Minister of State mentioned the Council of Europe register of damages. I was privileged to be the rapporteur for the fourth summit, where we introduced the register of damages. That is something that is absolutely going to make a difference. All contributors spoke about the conditions people are now living under in Ukraine, and also how Ukrainians are living outside of Ukraine, like our guests present. It is no way to live.”