Patricia Stephenson
Labour Panel · Social Democrats · Ireland
“A number of us on this side of the House have concerns around what this is opening us up to. We are concerned that we do not have the correct protections and safeguards in place to ensure that the supply will be State-owned and State-led because it is not included in the definitions in the legislation.”
“The world is literally on fire in some places. We have a forest fire in Ireland for the first time in years perhaps. I know we sometimes have them in the Mourne Mountains in the North. This is cause for concern, not just for future generations but for us today.”
“I thank the Minister for coming in. This is a really positive step. I am delighted she is pushing it forward. By and large, the oral contraceptive is incredibly safe. A lot of well-studied medicines are available. Over-the-counter oral contraception has been recommended by the WHO since 2019.”
“I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “ “emergency” means a situation where the State is experiencing a significant and protracted physical disruption of gas supply, or other catastrophic deterioration of the supply situation, and where— (a) all relevant market-based measures have been fully…”
“The Department has stated this facility "will provide the resilience required to support our energy transition" and that "the reserve will only be used in genuine emergencies", yet there is no definition in this Bill of what the Government means by an emergency and when that would apply.”
“We also have to be mindful of the burden it will place on pharmacists without the correct resourcing for pharmacies to deliver the scheme to safeguard against them withdrawing from this or any future scheme simply because they feel they do not have the resources to deliver it in a timely manner.”
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“Today, these absolute and fundamental rights instead of being non-negotiable and a baseline for informing EU policymaking appear to have become optional. I note the Minister of State spoke about the protection of fundamental rights and how important that is. I welcome those comments. However, we have seen actions waver in Ireland with regard to the concepts of fundamental human rights and protections. Ireland has historically been a champion of the universality of human rights, but in the past few months we saw a worrying and insidious shift away from that. I reference Ireland's willingness to deviate from its commitment to the concept of the universality of human rights when the Minister for justice signed Ireland up to the political declaration to effectively revise standards on non-conditional rights under Article 3 of the ECHR.”
“It feels like a real black mark that it has not been willing to take action. Ireland has made interventions and Spain has been one of the really strong voices but across the board we have not been willing as European Union member states to take collective action. Europe Day is a good time to reflect on one of the most successful peace projects in history. The Schuman Declaration was declared for peace, integration and co-operation, announcing that economic co-operation and dependence are the glue that binds us and keeps us from descending into war. Shortly after this, the European Convention on Human Rights, ECHR, was signed, laying out the inviolable human rights no European state was permitted to breach. The EU was founded on the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and respect for human rights.”
“We have heard a lot of callbacks to John Hume. He was a proud European social democrat and talked about the European project being the greatest peace project, which it was, along with the Council of Europe, in the post-war period. I am happy to hear about European Movement Ireland's positive figures. I think the Minister of State said close to nine out of ten people on the island of Ireland support Ireland's membership of the EU and see the positive things that come out of it. However, the failure of the European Union to act in any collective way in light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the apartheid state in the West Bank has put serious question marks over the European Union's commitment to international law and human rights for everybody and its ability to deal with issues of peacebuilding beyond its borders.”
“Pre-legislative scrutiny was waived. This is such a fundamental thing. It will last for 20 years, if we ever seek to withdraw from it. That is what is happening with the ECT. The Government is binding us and future generations.”
“The whole point of this Bill is an attempt to make the investor court system constitutional but the reality is that claims against Ireland can still be enforced outside of Ireland, regardless of the oversight that this Bill purports to provide Irish courts. The reality is that this amendment will not actually give Irish courts any say in tribunal awards from the investor court system. We need to be very clear that this arbitration Bill is not only about CETA. As per section 25A, it can include any agreement prescribed by any Minister at any given stage in history, without Oireachtas approval. This is the last time Senators will have a say in this. I know someone else mentioned that ratification requires parliamentary approval. That is not true; it requires Dáil approval. This is our last opportunity to have meaningful debate on this.”
“The EU withdrew last year on the basis that the ECT was not compatible with its climate goals, with companies suing member states for millions when they tried to move away from fossil fuel. The threat of such claims has a regulatory chilling effect on progressive policy and regulation at a time when that is needed more than ever. This is what the arbitration Bill will open us up to. It is incredibly ironic, inexplicable and utterly unacceptable that the Government is still proposing to advance this Bill in this context. The arbitration Bill proposes to get around the protections afforded in our Constitution. It should give us all pause for thought that we would even be attempting to get around the protections afforded to us in our Constitution.”
“During Dáil Committee Stage, the Minister of State acknowledged that trade with Canada has tripled since 2017 and that 99% of CETA is already implemented without the investor court provisions being enforced, and that he has received no complaints from any Canadian companies about the system not being in place. The Government has very much tried to frame this Bill as essential to the continuation of the trade tariff arrangement set out in CETA but this is simply not the case. As we know, nine EU member states also have not domestically ratified CETA and there is little evidence they are going to do so in the near future with any speed. A week ago, the Government belatedly notified Ireland's withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty.”
“The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, talked about the importance of the UN system and, while I utterly agree with him, I would like to know specifically what Ireland has done on the question of UN Security Council reform. What active actions are we taking to reform UN Security Council challenges? Where is the occupied territories Bill and when we can expect it to be delivered?”
“We have seen countries doing that. Spain has shown moral courage by banning Israel-bound ships and aircraft transporting munitions from transiting through Spanish airspace and ports. While we say we uphold international law, we have not done the same as Spain has. It has banned individuals who have directly participated in the genocide in Gaza from entering the country. Slovenia has imposed an arms embargo. Spain, Slovenia, Belgium and the Netherlands have prevented trade with the illegal Israeli settlements. Ireland should be leading on a principled coalition of like-minded countries to uphold international law in the face of these violations. That is how we contribute to an ecosystem of accountability. We have not done that yet.”
“There is a belief in some quarters that Ireland is so small that we cannot meaningfully challenge the actions of larger powers or influence other countries, but I do not buy that argument. Historically, Ireland has had an outsized influence on global politics, in particular peace, most notably with Frank Aiken and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and we can do the same today when it comes to defending the multilateral system. However, to do this, we actually have to practise what we preach and put those commitments into action. This is not about Ireland, in one dramatic act, changing the course of global events; it is about whether we choose to play our part. It is not about just one country acting alone; it is about building on collective action through consistent principled stances taken by many member states over time.”
“Why is Ireland not calling loudly for the EU blocking mechanism to be activated to protect EU citizens who are fulfilling their mandate under international law from the impact of US sanctions? An ecosystem of accountability means that we must be willing to examine our actions, including the use of Irish airspace and airports by the US military while it conducts its illegal war on Iran, creating misery for people in the Middle East and, more broadly, creating misery for people across the world because of the fuel crisis. Why are we still allowing the use of our airspace in those contexts? Creating an ecosystem of accountability means asking ourselves whether we are fully compliant with our obligations under international law and obligations to the people of Ireland as a neutral country.”
“Ireland should lead the way in upholding international law and that involves moving beyond words and into action. The best way we can do this is by implementing international law and creating an ecosystem of accountability. In practice, that looks like enacting the occupied territories Bill, a Bill which would ensure we meet our obligations under international law and provide a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people through holding the Israeli state accountable for its illegal actions. Creating an ecosystem of accountability means standing up to defend Francesca Albanese and the eight International Criminal Court justices and three prosecutors who have been sanctioned by the US for their human rights work defending the right to life of Palestinians.”
“In the context of the US and Israel's illegal war in Iran and Iran's retaliatory strikes, the inexplicable decision of the US to ease sanctions on Russia as a result of that war, the ongoing genocide and E1 plan to steal even more Palestinian land on the West Bank, the bombing of civilians and general instability across the world, it is important we reflect on Ireland's role in that and how Ireland can contribute to peace by sustaining an ecosystem of accountability under international law. We have seen the erosion of the multilateral order, attacks by known aggressors like Russia and Israel and our traditional allies the US, and the UN being totally undermined. What we have not seen in any meaningful way is that erosion being met with a commitment from a broad coalition of leaders to defend the multilateral system, which is worrying.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I mean no shade or disrespect to him, but it is disappointing for Senators when a Minister related to the relevant Department is not here. I know that is not his doing, but I want to note that for the record. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach could communicate to the Leader that we do not always get the correct Minister for the brief or for Commencement matters or debates. Obviously, that limits the meaningful engagement we can have with the Department. This relates to how the Seanad is treated more broadly.”
“I would also like this House to seek a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on what it is doing and on what levels of diplomacy it is engaging in to ensure the protection of our citizens by a third state. In any other country, if our citizens were swept up off the streets by a third country, we would be up in arms and we should be in this case as well.”
“All of us here would want to see integrity around the concept of a right to fair trial. I also note the six or seven Irish citizens who were kidnapped this morning by the Israeli state while in international waters as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful humanitarian mission to bring much-needed aid to the people of Gaza. Kidnapping in international waters is an act that breaches international law and violates our international standards. We have come to expect this by the Israeli state but we cannot accept it as normal. We cannot accept it as normal when our citizens, who are there on a peaceful mission, are being kidnapped by the Israeli state.”
“He was allowed only one visitor for 30 minutes every two weeks. He has not been allowed to read books. He has been held up in a cell by himself for 23 hours per day. He has been behind a screen. His family have not been allowed to touch him. Anti-genocide activists have been disproportionately punished. We have seen that held up as an example to others for highlighting corporate complicity when it comes to war crimes against Palestine. This could set a dangerous precedent for criminalising direct action. We should all be horrified that an Irish citizen is being treated with such structural violence and state violence against his well-being by another EU member state. I would like to see some intervention by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure Daniel's right to a fair trial.”
“It is a last resort and generally only for a maximum of six months in complex cases, and already Daniel has been there for five months. Bail has been denied because Daniel is considered a threat to society, despite the fact he did not resist arrest, he did not harm anyone and he did not have any prior criminal convictions. The charge against Daniel is reserved for members of criminal organisations. We have to ask the question: is Daniel's act of civil disobedience worthy of such an extreme response? His treatment within the criminal justice system has been utterly disproportionate to his actions and his family and defence team say his physical and psychological well-being and integrity have been violated and his right to a fair trial is under threat. He has been restricted access to his family and his defence team while in detention.”
“Daniel Tatlow-Devally is an Irish citizen who is currently on trial in Stuttgart. Part of the "The Ulm Five", he is being charged with allegedly damaging property in the offices of Elbit Systems in September 2025. The company, the group asserts, is complicit in genocide in Gaza. Daniel has been in pretrial detention for the past eight months, a particularly prolonged pretrial detention, which is highly unusual, and it violates Daniel's human rights. While in detention, Daniel's direct access to his legal team and defence team has been restricted. Even in court, he is separated from his team behind glass, which is completely abnormal in the context of the German judicial system. In Germany, pretrial detention is supposed to be kept as short as possible.”
“Protecting our wildlife and the environment in which we live is about safeguarding spaces, safeguarding moments that enrich our daily lives and safeguarding the future for future generations of young people who will come after us.”
“There is hope - unprecedented levels of public awareness are helping to support these projects and their funding to undo some of the decline in the natural world. We all know the value of wild spaces whether it is because we walk our dogs in the countryside, go to the beach or love listening to birdsong early in the morning but we take it for granted. If we do not actively protect it, we will lose it. It is slightly trite but people give the example of the car being covered in insects after a long journey on the motorway ten or 20 years ago. We do not see that any more because the insects are not there because they are dying. That is a significant everyday marker of how our ecosystem is being damaged. We need to do so much more to protect it.”
“In Kilkenny we have Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, which does huge work on invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed. These species are really problematic for local ecosystems. They damage the habitats of birds, bees, fish, sea life and river life. They are invasive and they are quietly choking our natural environment. They spread fast and crowd out native plants. This has an ongoing effect on birds, insects and the wider ecosystem. They also erode riverbanks and in some cases pose quite a serious risk to people. Without the dedication of these groups, our wildlife would be completely on its own trying to survive in a world that does not recognise its significance or right to share all spaces in communities and towns.”
“The professionalisation, experience and expertise they have in this area are not matched or recognised by the Government. Senator Noonan reminds us that staff in wildlife centres, paid or voluntary, work around the clock. Caring for wildlife is not a Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. It is 24 hours, seven days a week. People working in wildlife care see some of the most heartbreaking and distressing cases of animal cruelty as well. It is very much not for the faint-hearted. They also have the incredible privilege of releasing animals back to nature and their natural habitat and nursing them back to health. It is important to acknowledge the work they do in restoration, advocacy and education.”
“Adequate funding of wildlife services is a crucial investment for the island. We cannot continue to rely only on the organisations that do such great work, much of which is voluntary. We know about fundraising challenges for wildlife centres; they are struggling to keep their doors open despite how important the work they do is. The volunteer efforts of those caring for wildlife and their fundraising efforts are heroic in the face of how much decline we have seen and the severe habitat destruction. There is often an over-reliance on the voluntary sector. When I say voluntary, a lot of these people are high professionalised and skilled and might have several layers of qualifications and degrees to do this work yet they are not fully supported.”
“We have seen the designation of marine protected areas but we have not seen any action or protection with that. The Government is committed to protecting 30% of our seas by 2030 but we are lagging behind that substantially; only about 10% has been done to date. It is in the context of how bad things are that I thank Senator Noonan for bringing this forward. We all know too well that biodiversity and nature are in serious deep decline but the report form the indecent advisory committee sharpens that greatly. The motion asks for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to take action. A core element of that is multi-annual funding to support the work of rehabilitation centres. Revenue from fines collected for wildlife crime would fund a lot of these support schemes.”
“We are living in a moment when protecting wildlife and biodiversity is not something we have to worry about in the distant future; we need to think about it now. We are living in an environmental, biodiversity and ecology emergency. A new report from the independent advisory committee on nature restoration shows that 90% of our habitats are now in unfavourable conditions for wildlife. It is an appalling figure. It will take a monumental effort from Government, NGOs, across civil society and a cross-party approach to row back on this horrendous figure. We need to seriously work collectively to reverse and restore nature and support biodiversity due to the loss of habitat and the pollution we have seen. A big question is also around the marine protected areas Bill.”
“It is often said the best time to plant a tree was a hundred years ago but that the next best time to plant one is today. There has been a missed opportunity when it comes to solar and renewable energy in Ireland. We can all point fingers and appoint blame. Today is the day to fix that and really commit to rolling it out. It is the future. We need clean energy in Ireland. We need security. We also need to put measures and protections in place for data centres.”
“It points out that many landlords are simply not motivated to retrofit properties they are renting out because they are not going to benefit directly from the energy cost savings. That is really frustrating for a lot of renters to hear. We need robust policies to ensure either that landlords are motivated to retrofit properties they are renting out or that renters can access effective renewable energy such as plug-in solar to allow them to benefit like the rest of the population. The potential for renewable energy to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels in Ireland is huge. This kind of domestically generated energy would bring down the cost of bills for households and businesses. It would protect us and give us a barrier from so many of the external shocks we have seen and will continue to see as the world becomes more volatile.”
“Two years ago, the Department said it would look into regulation around plug-in solar, yet we wait. In 2019, the Government said there was indeed a crisis when it came to climate, and it has taken two years to look at regulation around plug-in solar, a technology that is being used widely in other European countries. This could be plugged in to people's gardens and balconies tomorrow if we regulated for it, immediately reducing people's energy bills. It is a no-brainer. We have to speed up the response around plug-in solar. Social Justice Ireland released a statement yesterday saying that as the number of renters increases in Ireland, non-homeowners are left out of the cost-saving retrofitting schemes.”
“One million homes in Ireland are suitable for solar panels but do not have them, so we need a nationwide installation programme that can be rolled out quickly. We would also reinstate the €1,000 grant that can be used for battery storage. Battery storage has improved. The quality of battery storage technology in the last five years is amazing compared with what it used to be. This is a crucial way forward. The Government cut that in 2022 for some reason; I am not sure why. We also have the warmer homes scheme. We need to be targeting vulnerable households for solar under this scheme and cut electricity costs for them. That would be something like €450 a year if we gave the houses that fall under that scheme free solar panels. We also need to roll it out for businesses. The other glaring gap is the roll-out of plug-in solar.”
“We are basically giving them dibs on our electricity rather than prioritising businesses and families who are in energy crisis. We have opportunities to develop energy security. Those opportunities have been wide open for years for the Government to take, but it has failed to seize them. We have untapped potential in solar but I feel the Government is blind to those opportunities and we are ignoring them. When we are exposed to so many of these external shocks, it is shocking that we are not leaning into the opportunities for solar in a more meaningful way. The Social Democrats have put forward a five-point plan on this, Solar for All, which would provide for a doubling of grants for solar panel installation and cover up to 1 million homes in Ireland.”
“I think 22% of our energy needs are now being used by data centres, compared with our closest neighbours on the Continent, which I think may be the Netherlands, where they are using only 2%. This is pushing up prices for domestic consumers and undermining our energy security sovereignty. It is irresponsible and reckless and it is not sustainable to keep growing. I know the moratorium was recently lifted as well. This is a disaster of a policy decision. It beggars belief that we are here having a discussion about energy security while that is happening in tandem. Earlier this year, EirGrid stated that up to 75% of our electricity generation could come from renewable energy sources but we are reaching just over half of our demand in this way. Of course, the biggest drain on this is from data centres.”
“Ireland has an urgent need to develop clean, resilient domestic energy infrastructure to protect communities and businesses from the ongoing global shocks we have seen recently. The shocks from recent times will continue on. This is not a once-off situation. Energy security is not just an economic concern. It is not a way to prevent future disruptions. Governments have a social obligation to ensure that everyone has access to clean, affordable and reliable energy. Relying on the importation of fossil fuels is no longer sustainable as we lurch from one energy crisis to the next. The Government has contributed to this in some ways by allowing carte blanche to developers for the development of data centres.”
“I accept that we simply cannot continue to pay never-ending amounts to drug companies that are making significant profit off people's illnesses, but we do need improvements to how drug repayments are made, the timelines around them and the different criteria that are included. It cannot just be about the economic benefit in the moment or the cost; it needs to be about the wider economic benefit. It needs to include things about people's quality of life and the criteria need to be broadened. I would like us to have a debate about that so we can ensure every person in Ireland receives the life-changing medical treatment they need without major financial obstacles.”
“Skyclarys has been shown to markedly improve neurological function in those with the illness. Based in Ireland, Biogen Idec is the manufacturer of Skyclarys. The HSE is weighing up whether it is worth it to fund this treatment, which could greatly improve the life of Emily and other people who are suffering from this condition. If they do not receive it, they will progressively experience vision impairment, hearing loss, slurred speech, aggressive scoliosis, diabetes and serious heart conditions. Without State help, Skyclarys can cost families around €300,000 a year. The national rare disease strategy, which was published recently, made a recommendation on access to orphan drugs for rare diseases and the importance of improving access to those drugs.”
“What is the true cost of this disease when it is left untreated? A 2024 report from the UK estimates that the cost to the UK economy from people being off sick from work due to pain or heavy bleeding is about £11 million per year. The report also stated that if one extra pound per woman in England were invested in women's healthcare, it would generate £319 million for the state. It pays to invest in women's health. Approximately 200 people in Ireland are living with the neurodegenerative disease Friedreich’s ataxia. Skyclarys is the only known drug approved for treatment of this illness. One of those people is Emily, a 28-year-old woman from Kilkenny who has been living with Friedreich's ataxia since she was 16. She has gone from a life of running and dancing to now being wheelchair bound.”
“The Government is basically saying that helping people to reduce painful symptoms, ease heavy bleeding or slow the loss of their physical functions - basic things that prevent people from having a normal quality of life - does not offer value for money. For women suffering from severe endometriosis, Ryeqo is crucial for reducing their pain and slowing the growth of lesions. There has also been significant historical underfunding of endometriosis treatment and women's health in general so I really think we need to focus on this and redress it. Women who need Ryeqo must pay around €140 a month out of pocket on top of what they are already paying in astronomical rents, soaring energy prices, grocery bills or childcare costs because treating them publicly is not considered cost-effective.”
“Some desperately needed medications are currently not available under the drugs repayment scheme. I have been contacted about two drugs in particular - Ryeqo, a medication used in the post-operative treatment of women with severe endometriosis, and Skyclarys, a drug to slow the debilitating effects of the progressive life-shortening disease Friedreich's ataxia. I have contacted the Minister for Health about funding for both these drugs and all I get is a vague response saying that it under advisement and that the Government is looking into it, which ultimately feels like a "No". The process for the HSE to review these drugs is so long. Ryeqo has already been refused for women experiencing moderate to severe uterine fibroids because it is not considered cost-effective.”
“I know the domestic violence rent supplement has been introduced but I hope we can find other interventions in that space that give back agency and power to people who have had so much of that removed from them through living in that violent situation. This is what this does so well and it is a real model that we can bring forward in other areas.”
“I thank the Minister for coming back. I also extend my thanks to Senators O'Loughlin and Rabbitte, in particular Senator Rabbitte, who spoke passionately about this last October. I want to put that on the record. When we talk about free travel and the financial burden, it is so much more than that because it is actually giving women and people who experience domestic violence back their agency after years of living in an abusive situation where their power has been taken away from them, their decision-making has been taken away from them and they have lived under this fear. This is not only a financial provision; we are actually empowering them and helping them to believe in themselves and trust themselves. That is why this is such an important intervention, and hopefully we can find similar interventions.”
“Free legal aid has a threshold of €18,000 but many women suffering from financial abuse simply do not have access to their income or bank accounts and so are unable to pay lawyers or solicitors. That is a significant barrier to justice for them. Many women find themselves travelling incredibly long distances to court hearings. That is another major financial challenge. Courts are often weaponised by abusive partners who do not turn up to hearings and who drag the process out for months or years. There are all financial burdens that come with fleeing domestic violence. That is why this initiative, despite being small and modest, will contribute to the overall protection of survivors. I again thank the Minister for bringing this to fruition and for following through on his commitment.”
“This year alone, we have seen five women tragically killed on the island of Ireland: in the North, Amy Doherty and Ellie Flanagan; and, in the South, Scarlett Faulkner, Linda Costello and Milena Ostojic. I offer my sincere condolences to their loved ones, who now must tragically comprehend life without them. Last year, 67,000 domestic violence-related calls were made to the Garda. That amounts to an average of one call related to domestic violence every eight minutes. That is an appallingly high figure. When I researched my Bill, I engaged with front-line organisations and I heard directly from survivors about this gap in provision. There are many other gaps for survivors. Many of them are financial.”
“I note that and I note his collaboration. It has been a pleasure to bring this forward collaboratively. My Bill acknowledged that leaving is not a single act. It can take months or years and, for many women, it comes with a significant cost. Fleeing to a refuge that is far from your workplace, from your child's school, from your family and from court results in additional travel costs. This is a highly traumatic period that takes immense courage. The introduction of a non-means-tested travel supplement for people living in this nightmare situation recognises that financial burden and aims to alleviate some of that pressure. Domestic violence is an epidemic in our society.”
“I also welcome the students from Castlecomer. I also warmly welcome the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to the Chamber today. Last October, I introduced the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025, which was to provide for three months of free travel to people fleeing domestic violence to support them to rebuild their lives. This Bill was intended as a small measure to support survivors who have no means of escaping a violent home. Of course, it was designed as only one intervention to strengthen the overall protection of survivors in tandem with other supports. Since October, I have been working with the Minister to roll out the scheme and I am delighted that he has come here today to launch it. I thank him for this commitment to this issue. He expressed his commitment last October and he has followed through.”
“To home in on the language around the emergency piece, I think the Minister of State would agree this is only done in emergency circumstances and that is where this wording comes from, recognising the challenges in the current context of the delivery of services. We see the amendment as putting in place a statutory safeguard so we do not leave too much to discretion. We can have situations where there are severe bed shortages for a range of reasons, or severe pressures on the systems, and we want to have it explicitly said that this is for an emergency. The terminology "in so far as is practicable" is a little ambiguous whereas "emergency circumstances" is a bit clearer.”
“I support the amendment. I will build on some of what Senator Cosgrove said about the idea of having a safeguard. Amendment No. 34 has been ruled out of order because it would fully prohibit admitting children into adult psychiatric units, which would create a cost for the State. When we talked about this at different sessions, the Minister of State spoke quite at length about how this is affecting very few children in terms of the overall numbers because of the work that has been done. She also spoke about the desire not to tie the hands of clinicians and how important that is, particularly if the option is to have the child nowhere safe because of the challenges that arise.”
“I cannot fathom why we would not include them in the legislation. It might be that there is a sense we are not there now and are therefore non-compliant so we do not want to put it inside the legislation for this fear. However, it creates that anchor and pathway for us to progressively ensure we meet those standards.”
“What it does is it provides that anchor. It is not saying, "Yes, it is in the Bill", but maybe we have to work there because it is a process to meet all those metrics and indicators. However, it anchors future decision-making in that space on those really crucial conventions and ensures that anything that is against the convention is progressively removed. That is its aim. It also sends a message to other parts of the world that have maybe signed up to these conventions but have not implemented them fully, that we are leaders in this space and we will do so nationally and domestically in Ireland. It is a reminder that these are obligations we should be upholding, whether that is around mental health legislation for children or mental health legislation for people with disabilities.”
“I lend my support to what Senator Boyhan has said. It was very rousing. As a new Senator, it is always helpful to hear from Senators who have been around a little longer about the role of the House because sometimes what we do here feels a bit like a tick-box exercise and the legislative purpose that we hold can be lost in it all. Both the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child and the UN Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have talked about the importance of putting those conventions inside legislation nationally. It was a 2023 report from the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child that urged Ireland to have these conventions specifically embedded in both our mental health and assisted decision-making legislation, and similarly with the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
“If we want to challenge the new norms we are seeing for young people and if we want to give them opportunities to thrive, to explore, to be challenged, to make real-world connections outside of their mobile phones and social media and real-world relationships, we have to invest in that space. The austerity years saw youth work take an absolute hammering and it was treated solely as an afterthought, to contribute to if we had a little extra, and as voluntary. It ignored how important it was for so many young people. I thank Senator Flynn for her contribution. I think she is no longer in the Chamber. It was really important to remind us about all the people who live on the margins of society and are excluded and how youth work is a hand-up to them to bring them forward and to support them and bring them up.”