Laura Harmon
Industrial and Commercial Panel · Labour Party · Ireland
“There is not enough room for a wheelchair to go around the side of the building. There is no obvious proper entrance. The reception is upstairs. There is no lift access for anyone with mobility issues, buggies or deliveries. The classrooms are an irregular shape and are not the standard classroom size of 49 sq. m.”
“Her cause of death was recorded as “congenital debilities”. For many of those babies who died at Bessborough, the reason given for their death was congenital debility or marasmus, which was essentially starvation. The reason given for these babies’ deaths was often very vague.”
“I am speaking again about the issue of Bessborough in Cork city and to call once again on the Taoiseach to act on this. There is still time to do the right thing and to have a negotiation process with the developer now or, failing that, to look at compulsory purchase of this site. The burial records have been sealed in relation to this.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her response. Will she call for a meeting in person with the school? Could that be facilitated to give the school an update in person? Does she have an idea as to a commitment on the timeline?”
“Will the Minister of State provide an update on what has been done to progress the request for additional school accommodation for Coláiste Daibhéid in Cork city and a timeline for the project?”
“It reaches high standards academically as well as in sport, STEM and stewardship. It has fantastic students and they deserve better. At present, the school is on the edge of Douglas Street Campus on Sawmill Street. There are two buildings. One is Buckingham House, which dates from the mid-19th century.”
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“I thank the Minister of State for joining us for the second time today. It is great to have the opportunity to discuss these matters. I raise the issue of safety in Cork city. The allocation of gardaí to the city is nowhere near enough compared with the trends in population growth. I am aware that people in other cities have the same view regarding their location. We need more interconnectedness between the work of the Department of Justice and other Departments in regard to crime and safety. For example, if people cannot get a bus home at the end of the night or the service is unreliable, they are at more risk. Predators will take advantage of that situation. The unreliability of public transport certainly is an issue in Cork and it is contributing to people not feeling safe and not going out.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is welcome that this scheme will be reviewed, as has been promised, in 2025. We await that. It is very important that the unions and the teachers themselves are consulted as part of this. I know this is on the radar of Fórsa, representatives of which I will meet in the next week, and of the INTO. As regards the case I outlined of Sophie Cole and those of many others, six months is certainly not enough. We need to review and extend that. We certainly need to look at how we communicate this to those working in our classrooms in order that they are aware of it and know what their entitlements are. There is a clear lack of awareness of rights in this regard. We look forward to further engagement, and I really hope the Minister, Helen McEntee, will engage as well on this issue.”
“As we know, there is a teacher shortage in this country because we are not looking after them properly in terms of their workplace conditions and pay. Unfortunately, we are exporting many of our teachers to places like Dubai. The Labour Party was the only party to have this in our general election manifesto. A lot of people are not aware of the number of people who are suffering because of this. It is not anything that any aspiring teacher setting out on their career thinks about. They do not think it is something that will happen to them. I commend Sophie on her campaign and look forward to the Minister of State's reply.”
“We need to amend the circular relating to assault leave to ensure that financial assistance covers medical bills and therapy and to ensure that teachers and SNAs are covered for the duration of their medically certified leave so that there is information and adequate support available put in place for all teachers and SNAs. When will we properly value teachers and SNAs? Sophie's social media page, Special Education Muinteoir, has hundreds of stories of people in similar situations, some with broken backs, damaged eyes, PTSD or facial paralysis, all because they were assaulted in the classroom. Many do not share their stories because they feel shame due to what has happened. I would argue that the shame is on the State for the lack of support. Our classrooms must be safe for teachers and children. We need multidisciplinary teams.”
“Her husband Shane sometimes has to take leave to take care of her. The couple has feared on many occasions that they would not be able to keep up their mortgage repayments on their home because of the financial pressure this has resulted in for them. Meanwhile, the State and Department of Education have completely let Sophie, and hundreds like her, down. The previous Minister ignored Sophie and I implore the new Minister to make time to listen and act. It feels like it is a case of, "Knock, knock, is anybody there? Knock, Knock, does anybody care?" when people like Sophie are trying to communicate how they are being affected by this.”
“She has undergone many surgeries at great expense to try to get any relief she can from the debilitating and excruciating pain that she feels on a daily basis and the endless sleepless nights. She has said that sometimes she has to look at her hand to make sure it is still there because it feels like the flesh is burning off it. She has had to become a full-time campaigner, when she can, for herself and many others who have experienced assault in the classroom. Three months after Sophie experienced this assault, her assault leave entitlement ended and she had to use up all of her sick leave. One day, without any warning, she received a letter through the door telling her she would receive no more pay. Sophie has lost her career and her wage and has incurred large medical bills. Her world has been turned upside down by this.”
“I wish to ask what is being done to amend and improve assault leave for teachers and SNAs. With her consent, I will talk about the experience of a special education teacher, Sophie Cole. I had the privilege of meeting Sophie and her husband, Shane O'Brien, last November in their home in Carrigaline, County Cork. They are a young couple very much in love and starting out on their married life together. Their world was turned upside down and inside out when Sophie, a special education teacher with a clear passion, love and deep understanding of her profession and the children she teaches, was assaulted in the classroom in November 2022. Sophie's left hand was slammed into a steel reinforced table while at work. As a result, she has complex regional pain syndrome, one of the most painful conditions in the world.”
“The way the Seanad is set up, it is inevitable that the Government will have a majority in this House. There should be a secret ballot, and it is something we need to fight for. I urge people to consider that when they are voting, abstaining or whatever it is they choose to do today.”
“This is testament to the Seanad that we can form commonality with people who potentially we would not always agree with and we can have respect for each other. We have two fine candidates for the selection. I said informally to Senator Byrne earlier that she is a fantastic candidate. I will be participating in this election and voting for my colleague, Senator Flynn. She is an outstanding Senator and my colleague, Senator Nessa Cosgrove, spoke eloquently about her. The Seanad was set up originally to ensure that we had representation of minority voices. That is important. As somebody from the LGBTQI+ community myself, it is important. It is amazing that 45% of Members are women. We are getting there vis-à-vis gender but we have so much more work to do. I urge people to consider this matter.”
“I campaigned quite passionately in 2013 to retain the Seanad on the premise that it would be reformed. I agree with Senator McDowell's proposal and the others. It is a rarity that I would agree with Senator Mullen on a number of issues but I do agree with him today.”
“Adult education is the backbone of many of our communities, and these workers need to be supported. It was great to speak to some of the workers that were outside the Houses, particularly those from Cork, and hear about what they are facing. I call for a debate on this topic.”
“The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has committed to a new student housing strategy, specifically for student housing and purpose-built student accommodation, in the second quarter of this year. This is very welcome. I hope it will progress. Hundreds of adult education tutors gathered in protest outside the Dáil earlier. Their message was clear. They feel the Government has failed them when it comes to the provision of fair and sustainable employment terms for the up to 3,000 of them working across the country. This is especially the case in light of recent statistics concerning the fact that adult literacy is declining. We need to value these tutors. Many are stuck in precarious contracts and their new pay scales do not do them any justice. This is an issue that needs to be solved.”
“It is clear from the report that there are many substandard properties in the rental market. The statistics in this regard might come as no surprise to people. Some 12% of respondents said they had no heating, 10% said they had no cooking facilities and 38% said they had no lease agreement. It is really important that we inform these people of their rights. Most worrying, however, is that 5% of female respondents said they had seen an advertisement for or were propositioned directly in the context of sex in exchange for rent. We do not have a law that specifically bans sex for rent. There is a commitment in the programme for Government, however, and the new Minister for Justice is looking at this issue with the Attorney General. I call for a debate on this matter. I will certainly be looking to speak to the Minister about it.”
“I intend to speak about housing and education. The Irish Council for International Students launched a new report on the rental sector this morning. It is from the perspective of the experience of international students. The report is stark in that it highlights the overcrowding in the sector, the significant costs involved and the level of scamming that is happening. The report indicates that three quarters of English language students are sharing rooms with more than one other person and that one third of students in higher education are doing the same. It also indicates that one in ten international students here encountered an accommodation scam during their time in Ireland but that only 14% of them reported this to the Garda. These figures are quite alarming.”
“This amendment is very straightforward. It relates to accountability, reporting, value for money and ensuring transparency around these new roles. I really hope we might be able find some common ground and get these very reasonable amendments passed. This amendment is all about economic efficiency, transparency and reporting, so I would really appreciate support for it.”
“(2) The Comptroller and Auditor General may, in relation to a Department of State, carry out under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 such examinations as he or she considers appropriate regarding— (a) the appointment of a Minister of State and his or her assignment to the Department and the nature and extent of any special responsibilities conferred on the Minister of State, (b) the organisation of sections and divisions within the Department for the purpose of facilitating the discharge of any special responsibilities conferred on the Minister of State, and (c) the delegation (or non-delegation) of any statutory powers and duties of the Minister of the Government having charge of the Department to the Minister of State, and the exercise of any powers and performance of any duties so delegated, for the purpose of ascertaining whether and to what extent the resources of the Department have been used economically and efficiently.”.”.”
“I move amendment No. 1: 1. In page 3, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: "Ministers of State: value for money 2. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 5: “Ministers of State: value for money 5A. (1) The Secretary General of each Department of State shall, not later than 1 April in each year, publish a detailed statement of— (a) the costs incurred in the previous year attributable to the assignment of a Minister of State to the Department, including the cost of Special Advisers, civilian drivers and the staff working in the private office of the Minister of State, and (b) the functions performed and official responsibilities discharged in the previous year by each Minister of State standing assigned to the Department in that year.”
“We have some fabulous former Ministers of State in the Chamber with us today as well. It is up to the Government to prove the cost-effectiveness of this and the need for it. As I said, we have tabled amendments, which I will speak to later.”
“This is not the kind of job creation that we envisaged prior to the election. There are other areas where we would like to see meaningful job creation and increased salaries. We just need to look at the teaching profession, nurses or gardaí. Where is the job creation there? I would argue that places like Australia and Dubai are where that job creation is happening. We need to look at other areas of job creation. We talk a lot in this Chamber, rightly so, about the need for more investment in local government, how we increase functionality and effectiveness there and whether we need more representation at that level. I would make the point that we want and absolutely need our Ministers to succeed, whether current Ministers or any Ministers being appointed. We need them to succeed, and all of us in the Opposition want that as well.”
“The Labour Party estimates that each new Minister of State would cost upwards of €500,000, and with all-in costs, we would have a starting point of €1.5 million per year or €7.5 million during the lifetime of the Government. It may be perceived, and I believe it is being perceived if we look at the public discourse, that this could represent “jobs for our own” or keeping certain sectors or, potentially, Independents happy within a new Government. That is something that is being represented in the public discourse. We have seen a lot of discourse in recent months in regard to the waste of public money and expenditure, and we need to be extremely mindful of that. Less is not always more. We need to guard against bloating in government and we do not want too much of a bloated government structure.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. We need to be clear that investing in democracy is always a good thing but we in the Labour Party are not convinced that this is the best value for money or the most effective way to invest in our democracy. It is up to the Government to convince us and the public otherwise on this matter. This is about accountability, the effective delivery of government and cost-effectiveness. It is worth noting that this would represent a significant jump in the number of junior Ministries from 15 in 2016 to 23 in 2025, which is a significant increase in a very short space of time. We have amendments tabled which will look at how we can increase accountability and ensure cost-effectiveness, and I will speak to those later.”
“I am very concerned about this race to the bottom in further and higher education in how staff in the sector are being treated. I would welcome a debate with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the issue. I raise the issue of public transport in Cork and in Cork city, in particular. Public transport in Cork needs to be improved. Public confidence in the bus service in Cork is at an all-time low because of the unreliability of the service. We have been waiting too long for a light rail service in Cork. Compared with Dublin, Cork is very much forgotten when it comes to public transport.”
“We have deep concerns about workers' rights and the fact they were not consulted or updated as part of the strategic review that was undertaken internally in Bord na Móna Recycling. To my knowledge, this was not included in any party manifesto during the recent general election, nor is it in the programme for Government. We should discuss this. I am deeply concerned about the proposed restructuring at BIMM music college, which is funded by TU Dublin. The fact that many of the lecturers may lose their positions, be put on reduced hours or be at risk of precarious work is very concerning. It is great to see they are being supported by their union, the Irish Federation of University Teachers, and the students within the college. BIMM has produced some of the best bands in the country, if not the world. This is something we should value.”
“I congratulate the Leader of the House, Senator Kyne. I look forward to working with everyone. I thank the people who supported me in getting to this position, particularly the people in Cork South-Central. I have had three elections this year. I put on record my thanks to my parents, Mary and Ted, my four younger sisters, Michelle, Andrea, Rachel and Celine, and my campaign manager, George Cummins. I want to touch on three issues. I, personally, and the Labour Party are opposed to the proposed privatisation of Bord na Móna Recycling. We support the calls from SIPTU that there should be discussion on the issue. I call for a discussion with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on this.”
“Teachers, lecturers, special needs assistants and early years educators must be valued through their pay and working conditions. We must invest in our higher and further education institutions. I look forward to working with all Senators to build a fairer, more equal and more just Ireland. I offer my sincere congratulations to the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. I look forward to working with him during the term of this Seanad.”
“I believe that we will see decriminalisation of drug users and a healthcare approach to addiction in this country, which will utterly transform our society for the better. I believe we will see more than one progressive left government during my lifetime. Those of us who believe in that vision need to work together collectively and collaboratively. Ireland's housing crisis is the greatest social injustice of a generation. An entire generation has been locked out of homeownership and that security. Housing is a right, not a privilege. Too many families are struggling to access basic services for their loved ones. The lack of school places for children with additional needs is an unacceptable failure in our society. Every child deserves an inclusive, accessible education.”
“This year marks ten years since we passed marriage equality in Ireland. That was a defining moment for our nation. Many of us who grew up gay in this country never would have thought that moment would happen. Similarly, in 2018, repealing the eighth amendment was a moment that many of us, men and women, never thought we would see either. We need to continue with this. We cannot become complacent when it comes to minority rights, LGBTQ rights and women's rights. We need to ensure that the hard-won rights are not rolled back. Many of my generation, because we have seen so much change, believe that a united Ireland is possible in our lifetime, one that is inclusive, prosperous and peaceful for all living on this island. I believe the Government must not shirk its responsibility to prepare for a border poll.”
“A Chathaoirligh and fellow Seanadóirí, táim an-bhuíoch as a bheith anseo. It is an honour to give my maiden contribution to the Seanad. I come to the Seanad in a spirit of collaboration, from the rebel county of Cork. I am proud to wear my red and white today. The urgent issues that we face, including housing, climate action, transport, healthcare and economic justice, demand ambition and our collective collaboration. In an era of misinformation and disinformation, this Chamber has a duty to foster considered and factual debate. I was proud to campaign passionately for the retention of the Seanad in 2013. I know that this House has the power to effect meaningful change, but we must press forward with Seanad reform. I believe that progressive change is possible because I have lived through it, taken part in it and seen it happen directly.”