Sinéad Gibney
Dublin Rathdown · Social Democrats · Ireland
“Unfortunately, those are still not entirely clear. Although the Windsor Framework did look to enshrine that policy of no diminution of rights and the non-divergence of rights on either side of the Border, that has not been clear in how it is going to play out.”
“I want to raise one specific sector. Within my portfolio, the culture sector is a good example of where we could see a much better offering in the joining together of the two economic activities. For example, we have a very vibrant production sector for film and television.”
“The other word that is important to bring into any economic discussion and fiscal discussion around a united Ireland is "holistic" because, unfortunately at times, I see the Government looking at the economy as a discrete part of society and neglecting things that fall outside of economic discussion, economic imperatives, and policymaking…”
“There are ways that we can see how our governance of this jurisdiction can be improved simply by the opportunities that will be presented by opening up constitutional change and the discussions that we are all going to have about how we govern ourselves right now and how we may govern an entire island of Ireland.”
“When the Minister of State referred to office roles in Brussels, was he describing roles in NATO headquarters? The international forces the Minister of State is describing are exactly like the coalition that invaded Iraq.”
“I look forward to coming back to the topic of the triple lock in a few questions' time. I have read with extreme concern the reports over the past week on the lack of support provided by the Department of Defence to Women of Honour, whose members are participating in the Defence Forces tribunal.”
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“I would question the framing of it because even the order the discussion is going in regarding how technology or AI is specifically used for the public good, in business, the economy and for wider society is demonstrative of what we, unfortunately, have seen in policymaking in this area, which is an emphasis on industry, business, economy and a failure to take into account the wider implications of AI in society. I am excited about artificial intelligence. I am a techie. I worked in the tech sector for eight years. I am a technophile but my excitement about AI is tempered right now because we are not keeping up. The politics and the legal framework we need to harness AI for good does not exist and the actors with all the power right now are big business. I cannot be excited.”
“I congratulate Deputy Smyth on her role, as she said at the beginning of today's discussion, as the first Minister of State with intleacht shaorga in her title. I welcome today's discussion. This is such an important topic in society right now. It will dominate our term of office for the next five years. There is no question that it will be an important part of so many areas of life and it is important we facilitate this type of discussion.”
“We want to work with the Government to resolve this housing crisis on behalf of the people who voted for us, just as the Minister of State says he wishes to solve the housing crisis on behalf of the people who voted for him. I ask the Government to listen to us and work with us. I ask him to please take on board this motion and the solid solutions within it.”
“I am talking about the overcrowding that migrants experience. I am talking about the fact that our Traveller heritage is being erased because there is no culturally appropriate accommodation available for them. Our Gaeltacht community is under threat because Gaeltacht communities can no longer stay together. We are at risk of losing some of the precious heritage that we all want to keep. With this motion, we are offering public solutions to a chronic public problem that we in Irish society are facing. These solutions offer to control the market not to inflate it. I urge the Minister of State to listen to us and on behalf of his absent Government colleagues, to listen to what we are offering.”
“I have spoken to people on the doors in my constituency and constantly receive emails from people who are frustrated at living at home with their parents way past an appropriate age because of the housing crisis. My constituency has some of the highest house prices in the country. The median house price last August was €635,000. We also have a proliferation of buy-to-let accommodation and very little affordable offering within the constituency. Even though this crisis reaches into the pockets of every life in Irish society, it is important to remember those groups who are pushed to the fringes of society anyway and who are uniquely impacted by the crisis. I am talking, for example, about lone parents, who have to live in substandard accommodation because of the discrimination they face.”
“As a new TD, I am truly stunned not only that the housing Minister is not here but that there is only one representative on the Government benches when in the media and in the Dáil Chamber, all we hear is that the Government wants solutions from the Opposition. When we offer concrete, well thought-out, researched, evidence-based solutions, this is the showing we get. I come from the human rights sector where we talk about housing as one of the fundamental rights without which it is impossible to realise other rights. We have heard from my colleagues the stories of so many people in Irish society whose lives are simply on hold. Their careers, family plans and love lives cannot advance.”
“The word "progressive" was used, yet the measures such as electricity credits that we saw in the past few years were not targeted. If that is what the Government believes to be a progressive measure, then it needs to look at it again. We welcome better targeted measures. Those electricity credits, while important, should be better targeted to assist those families who most need them. I would also like clarity, before we finish, on the additional range of payments which might be impacted. It seemed clear from the statement that the cost-of-living supports and payments will not be continued. I would also like to ask about additional payments of child benefit, disability allowance, fuel allowance and tax credits for renters. Are they also on the slate for being cut?”
“In the wake of Storm Éowyn, it seems clear that the Government has become aware of a likely increase in electricity costs. Will that be mitigated by cost-of-living measures?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. While he detailed many different economic terms, I am not hearing about the real day-to-day experience of people whose cost-of-living challenges are forcing them to choose between heat and food, to make very difficult decisions and to live with the stress of these kinds of announcements that come from Government with very little regard for their existence. I would love to hear if there are any benchmarks against standard-of-living indicators or a well-being index. Will equality budgeting be properly enforced in budget 2026 in order that these measures will not just be measured against an economic outlook but also against the cost of living that households experience day to day? The Minister talked about electricity credits.”
“I was deeply concerned and dismayed by reports in the media that the Government is planning to completely axe cost-of-living supports without any indication being offered about this being tied to evidence of a reduction in the cost of living. I am seeking clarity on the matter. Will any cessation of cost-of-living supports and payments in the next budget, as reported, be benchmarked against a reduction in the cost of living?”
“It is embarrassing enough being a parody of contemporary satire but this book is nearly as old as I am, so the Government is managing to caricature figures from 45-year-old humour. Once again, we reject this Bill.”
“Quite frankly he is relieved, we all are, that he doesn’t have to go to the country again. Here is what he is prepared to concede. Alexander Muffy’s sons to be made district justices before the end of the year. You retain the Ministry for Bogland Areas with Special Responsibility for Game and Wildlife and Mick to be made a Health Inspector. Under no circumstances will he nominate your brother-in-law to the Senate. I think it’s a good deal. If I were you I’d take it. Our man will not be pushed beyond a certain point. In haste, James McFillen. As a new TD, I would love to think we have moved on from this type of stroke politics, but what I have seen from the Government in the past few weeks tells me that it is very much alive and well.”
“To see the Gaeltacht be under the banner of a senior Minister for the first time in more than ten years is to be celebrated as a step toward better meeting the needs of Gaeltacht communities. However, these two examples emphasise the same point. When we have too many things delegated to Ministers of State, people go unheard and key issues go unaddressed. I will quote from John B. Keane’s Letters of an Irish Minister of State , written as political satire in 1978. This is from the last letter: Dear Tull, My heartiest congratulations. At the back of my mind I knew you’d get there but I ventured no opinion here, having to play my cards close to my chest so to speak. He gasped when I recited your terms. Then he settled back in his chair tweaking his upper lip. Your coming back will mean a majority of three. He feels this would be safe enough.”
“It sets the tone for governance in this country where Government politicians are more focused on status, allowances and expenses and their own importance. I desperately want to see the evidence and data to support the creation of these new Ministers of State. Before the Minister goes there, an increase in population and Dáil size is simply not enough. On the topic of delegation of authority, there are limits. Migration is now relegated to the responsibility of a Minister of State with a custodian who has no ability to actually make a difference on this complex and challenging issue. At least in the previous Government, the area was represented at the Cabinet table.”
“Are we suggesting that it costs an additional €13,145 to the taxpayer for these individuals to attend one meeting every week, where constitutionally, they have no role? We have heard from the Government how this shadow expansion of the Cabinet is popular and is necessary due to the constitutional limit on Ministers. Should the Government be so keen to prove the necessity and popularity of the posts, it should hold a referendum to put that particular question to the people. Cabinet Ministers should be able to stand over their complex and broad portfolios, direct the civil servants in their Departments and, of course, call on their party colleagues for assistance and collaboration. However, that last bit can be done without doling out more useless titles.”
“More Ministers of State at more photoshoots. They do not have a seat at the Cabinet table so they cannot actually influence policy in a way that is of benefit. For people trying to hold their representatives to account, there is nothing more frustrating than being shunted back and forth between junior and senior Ministers, and trying to unpick the web the Government has spun for itself with regard to who is responsible for what, and who actually has the power to change things. It undermines faith in the State. The people are tired of it, demoralised by it, and we must reject it. On the topic of Ministers of State attending Cabinet, why are they getting an additional allowance if they are not getting the corresponding responsibilities, power or voting influence of a full Cabinet Minister?”
“To aimlessly expand the ranks with no considered process or strategy undermines trust in our political system and in those who hold public office. It reinforces the idea that I came across on the doors during the general election time and again - that politicians are only out to line their own pockets, boost their own personal importance, and that serving the people of this country is a secondary goal. We have a chance today to prove that is not the case by rejecting this Bill. I have worked in the public sector. I have been an Accounting Officer, and I can tell Members this. Apart from the cost that we can and should account for on each additional ministerial appointment and each allowance increase, the hidden cost is the loss of productivity associated with the time and work that goes into supporting each new post. To what gain?”
“It is not the first Bill rushed through so that everyone who has been promised a plum job is kept on side. When and if the number of Ministers is expanded on the creation of a new Government, when they are given titles and cars and half-cars, we need to see careful consideration and I have seen no evidence of this consideration taking place. What I have seen is the formation of a Government steeped in clientelism. The public is expected to believe that the recipients of Cabinet posts who have been clear that their participation in government hinged on constituency favours and jobs for the boys, are actually filling posts which have suddenly become absolutely necessary to the functioning of the State since the election.”
“What is the mindset of a Government that thinks it is okay to dole out useless ministerial appointments like party favours, with allowances to match, all with the intention of appeasing backbenchers, and ensuring that there is something for everyone in the audience? I fully appreciate that the complex job of running our country needs to evolve over time but it should evolve in a way that is thought out, considered, provides value to the public and actually makes the running of the State more efficient. We need to carefully consider the roles of Ministers of State, their remit, and the necessity and goals of each and every office. We should be presented today with data, evidence and compelling business cases for the creation of each of these roles.”
“For example, I find it very difficult to justify the need for a Minister of State for digitalisation, and a separate Minister of State for digital transformation. The lack of transparency and accountability is there for all to see, as we struggle to answer the simple question: “Who is responsible for this?”. Tá sé de cheart ag pobal na hÉireann fios a bheith acu nach bhfuil aon duine le teideal ag fáil liúntais nach bhfuil go hiomlán riachtanach. We in this Chamber are all privileged to hold elected office. The chance to represent our constituents is an honour that very few people in this country have had or ever will have. We should not need to be appeased with nonsense promotions. We have heard very helpful facts and figures so far from Opposition colleagues but I would like to speak to the ideology that underpins this type of politics.”
“We believe that we should collect taxes and use that money to create a just society, where everyone has the services they need, has their basic needs met, and feels they are getting value from the contributions they make to the State. To achieve that goal we need ordinary people to have trust that when someone is given a title and status in government, those positions are thought out, necessary and actually functional in improving people’s lives. This Bill does nothing to those ends. It is no surprise that ordinary people are frustrated to hear about an ever-expanding list of Ministers of State, and Ministers of State attending Cabinet. Our system of governance seems constantly bloated with waste and duplication.”
“We in the Social Democrats reject this Bill. We want to rebuild public trust in the State, trust which has been chipped away and eroded over the years by scandals of misused public funds, by headlines about waste and lavish spending, by a failure to look after taxpayers’ money and by a proliferation of ministerial appointments. Creidimid, mar Dhaonlathaithe Sóisialta, sa Stáit. Creidimid gur chóir go mbeadh muid ag bailiú cánach agus á húsáid chun sochaí cothrom a chruthú, áit atá seirbhísí poiblí cearta ar fáil, ina bhfuil bunriachtanais maireachtála ag cách, agus áit a gcreideann an gnáthdhuine go bhfuil siad ag fáil luach a gcuid cánach ón Stáit. The Social Democrats is a party that believes in the State.”
“To reiterate, I believe a formal terms of reference would be helpful in this case, again watching out for, within that membership, the interests of big business and how much it is going to influence the policy development of this country. I appreciate the points about the diaspora and it is important that we harness that network as much as we can. It is in the context that I have mentioned where corporations are increasing their influence on democratic processes all over the globe. We need to resist that path instead of following it.”
“The interests of these corporate executives, for example, may not align with those of the Irish people. It is important to know who is speaking and acting on behalf of Irish policy and what level of influence and access they will get to decision-makers such as the Minister and the Taoiseach. Further detail is required.”
“I thank the Tánaiste. It is good to hear remuneration will not be part of it. I am still keen to hear more details about the terms of reference and membership. I appreciate the invitation will give details. For clarity and transparency for us as elected representatives in the Dáil, and for the Irish public, it is important that we know exactly on what conditions the group is being convened. It is very important that we have clarity on who these people are and in what context they will influence Irish trade policy. Public officials are democratically accountable to us but corporate executives are not. In the context of big business in the US encroaching even further on the democratic process, this is a challenge to be met, not a path to follow.”
“I wish the Tánaiste well in his role and I look forward to collaborating with him. I worked very well with his brother in my previous role as chief commissioner of IHREC and I hope to collaborate with the Tánaiste similarly. My question relates to the announcement from the Department last week of the establishment of the strategic economic advisory panel, a US-based group that will advise the Government on trade issues. Will the Tánaiste please elaborate on the composition of this new US-based group? Will the members be remunerated? Will the Tánaiste outline the scope of the group and whether it has terms of reference?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Last week, we saw a proposal from the Government to water down the occupied territories Bill 2018 to the point that would remove services from it. It is imperative that we enact this Bill as it is, with the legal improvements that have been made to make it secure against any test at EU level and bring it to commencement immediately in this House.”
“That is why I am here tonight to support this motion to call for the progression of the occupied territories Bill and to call for saoirse don Phalaistín.”
“Since my first day as a TD, my inbox has been full of people pleading with me and the rest of Dáil Éireann to progress the occupied territories Bill. The people of Ireland despair at the images and horror they have seen over the past year and a half and at the lack of action from their representatives. It is as disappointing today as it was at the height of South African apartheid to see the establishment dragging its heels while the Irish people take to the streets and demand that they do the right thing. I knocked on one door in the run-up to the election, which I will never forget. I met a family behind that door who had just stepped away from their dinner table, where they had collectively cried following what they had seen on the day's news in Gaza.”
“The preamble to the UN Charter states: WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, If we do not stand firm in upholding international law, in rejection of war, ethnic cleansing and genocide profiteering as legitimate business, we contribute to making a more dangerous, violent and brutal world.”
“If the Government wishes to trade away those obligations then I, on behalf of the Irish people, ask it to name what price exactly it plans to put on them. We are at a delicate time in our global history where the rules of international law that we all signed up to are under daily and increasing threat. World leaders are emboldened by the lack of sanction for the escalation of violence and occupation around the world. Leaders ranging from brutal dictators to the elected President of the United States are openly talking about the business and money to be made from the very worst atrocities that humanity is capable of. It is at times like these we must remember the principles international law is founded upon.”
“Is é an rud ceart le déanamh a bhí ann nuair a tugadh isteach an Bille um Chríocha faoi Urghabháil in 2018. It was the right thing when it passed Second Stage in 2019. Is é an rud ceart a bhí ann nuair a gealladh é i bhforógraí toghcháin in 2020 and 2024. It was the right thing last year when the Social Democrats tabled a motion calling for it to be progressed agus is é an rud ceart le déanamh atá ann anois. In advancing this Bill, we must not be hindered by platitudes of economic consequences and disapproval from multinational corporations. Trade is a critical component of our economic stability but human life is not a bargaining chip. Our obligations under international law, laws that protect the rights of every person to live in peace and dignity, are paramount.”
“It sets us up to be leaders in this space and to show our fellow EU member states what it means to stand up and resist the occupier, the bully, the warmonger. We should have been the first country to recognise the State of Palestine. We should have been the first to go to the ICJ, and we should now be the first western country to bring about these meaningful sanctions. We must stand strong on the principle that it is wrong to trade in goods and services from illegally occupied land, and that is what this Bill does. Anything less is a failure to fulfil our duties under international law, and a mandate of the Irish people, who have been overwhelmingly vocal on this issue. This is true whether it is in Ukraine, Western Sahara, the Golan Heights or Palestine.”
“In the previous Dáil we tabled a motion calling for the Government to progress and enact the occupied territories Bill and in the twilight of the previous term, we offered up our Private Members' time to facilitate this. I am proud to be a member of a party that has followed through on our support of Palestine with real actions. Táim bródúil as ucht a bheith anseo inniu chun leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair seo. This country has a proud history in opposing apartheid and in defending principles of peace and human rights on the world stage. Ordinary people up and down this country want to see us honour that history. The connection the Irish people have with the people of Palestine runs deep. It comes from an understanding of occupation that many other European countries simply do not have.”
“I will say things in this Chamber that I have considered, that I believe in and that are worthy of national debate. I will treat with respect and dignity all other Members, staff and the media in advancing my constituency and portfolio work. I am truly honoured that the first topic I speak on is the occupied territories Bill. I thank Sinn Féin for tabling this motion, and Senator Black and everybody who has worked for the past seven years on this particular Bill. Our party, the Social Democrats, has stood firm on Palestine, pushing for Ireland to go beyond words and into actions. These actions must include the enactment of the occupied territories Bill and for the Irish Government to take every possible step to uphold the Genocide Convention and the ruling of the International Court of Justice in opposing illegal occupation and genocide.”
“I met many voters during the campaign who are struggling to make ends meet, who cannot access the most basic services they require to simply live lives of dignity and who are living in their childhood homes decades past their point of choosing because our national housing crisis is so entrenched. These people want to see change. They support a progressive left vision of governance for this country. As Social Democrats we share this vision - public services people can rely on, transparency and accountability in Government and political leadership and honesty in their representatives. The type of politics that will ultimately help this country to thrive. The hallmarks of my time as a representative here will be integrity, honest and hard work.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. As this is my maiden speech, I would like to start by thanking my colleagues, supporters, friends, family and partner without whom I would not be here. I thank the people of Dublin Rathdown for giving me the honour of representing them in this Thirty-fourth Dáil. I worked hard to get their votes and I will work hard to serve them. I connected with many of them through canvassing and I will connect with many more of them through my constituency work. Táim buíoch as ucht na muiníne atá acu ionam. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall dóibh gach lá mar Theachta Dála. People think of Dublin Rathdown as a homogenous area of affluence and political conservatism, but having campaigned across this constituency that is not my experience.”