On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 10 of 232 decisive votes (0 abstentions excluded). Read it as a government-or-opposition indicator rather than a measure of influence — the figure is near 100% for members supporting the government of the day and near 0% for those opposing it.
This is the point of the site: contributions keep the party held on the day, not the one held now.
| Party | Recorded as | Contributions | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND | Independent | 839 | 2020-06-29 – 2026-09-30 |
| CC | Ceann Comhairle / Chair | 67 | 2021-07-05 – 2025-07-16 |
Membership spells on record: IND 2020-06-29–2025-01-29 · IND 2025-01-29–present
Of course. I thank Senator Kelleher for pointing that out. I will withdraw the amendment-----
Yes.
Yes, I withdraw the amendment.
Next Tuesday.
There was a debate in this House on mental health two weeks ago. Today, I call for a debate specifically on Traveller mental health. In the past week and a half, I know three members of the Traveller community who have died by suicide. One young girl of 15 years of age passed away through suicide. These are not just numbers; these are real young people in our community who have their whole lives in front of them but feel so worthless within society that they decide to take their lives. We have a mental health crisi…
As Senator Stephenson said, this is Traveller Pride Week. Many members of the Traveller community and many children within the Traveller community have fewer opportunities to be successful within Irish society. Last week, a study showed that young Travellers start off on a very good footing and it is all positivity when they go into primary education. However, by the end of primary school, they say they are not good enough to be in education. I know exactly what that feels like, namely not feeling good enough comin…
I second the motion. I thank Senator Ruane and her office for bringing forward this important legislation. As the Senator said, this issue does not impact on many people within Irish society but it will have an impact on people seeking parole. I support the Bill as it will bring fairness and justice. As a member of the Traveller community, a minority group, I know how unfair the justice system can be to people from minority groups. Earlier today, Senator Ruane and I discussed how some people do not understand what …
I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning to address what I believe is a very important issue that was raised recently by the journalist Maria Delaney, a reporter with The Journal . Her report showed that the number of pupils on reduced timetables has increased to 1,275. This is something that is very close to my heart as someone from the Traveller community who came through the education system, was put down at the back of the class for Irish and was taken out when there was a Traveller teacher, wh…
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Yesterday, I had a group of young Travellers with a youth service in here. It honestly broke my heart when a young man asked what Leinster House was. I tried to explain to him. He looked at the portrait of Michael D. Higgins on the wall and asked whether he was the Taoiseach. I told him no, that Micheál Martin is the Taoiseach - trying to educate young children within the Traveller community. I see these young children constantly being failed by the education system and …
I welcome the students from St. Cronan's Senior National School. Their visit will be the first time I can tell a group of students they do not have any homework today. It is absolutely brilliant to give them a day off from it. We hope that the students make the most of their visit. I hope that at least one of them will end up in here in the future as a politician, and maybe not in the Seanad but in the Dáil. I wish them every success. They will have no homework this evening. Enjoy the rest of your visit to Leinster…
I will come at this issue from the angle of poverty and ethnic minorities, and people on the margin of Irish society. I would not be where I am today if it was not for my local youth service in Ballyfermot and its youth workers, Gerry McCarthy and Janice McGarry. For years I was member of a youth forum and I was politicised through the work done by the youth forum. Even back then, youth organisations struggled. In 2011 or 2012, there was a dramatic cut in funding for youth organisations. That funding was not re-ins…
When I was appointed by the Taoiseach nearly five years ago, I spoke a lot about not wanting to be pigeonholed and not always wanting to just be the Traveller Senator. That is something that I am grateful for, especially in the past few months. I have proven my worth by getting elected on my own merit. I thank all of the people who voted for me. It is absolutely amazing. What I am going to say next will be like me wanting my bread buttered on both sides but this is not the case. I emailed the Labour Party three wee…
I second the amendment.
Many Senators may not be aware that more than 1,275 students are not required to go to school in Ireland in 2025. Maria Delaney. a journalist working with The Journal Investigates, has published a concerning report about how 1,275 students are on a reduced timetable. These children are not expected to go to school. It is unfortunate that these are children who have autism, children from the Traveller community and Roma children. I urge Senators to read the report by Maria Delaney. It is very concerning. One young p…
I welcome the extension of the ARP scheme. As an activist, I think it is unjust how we treat one set of refugees, who are white and European, compared with how we treat people from the Middle East. It is a bit like years ago and even today with the gap between the rights of settled people and those of Travellers. More than anyone else here, I know exactly what it is like to be treated as somehow less than someone else. One set of refugees are treated with dignity, respect and love and all this jazz that we are talk…
I second the amendment.
While I welcome this important Bill, it ignores the most vulnerable people within our society. Nowhere does it refer to domestic violence or older people or people with disabilities being controlled. I might wait until I have the Minister of State's attention.
With the leave of the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and my apologies, I will restart my contribution for the benefit of the Minister of State because this is very important. While I welcome this financial Bill, it is very important that we amend it. From my reading of how it stands, it leaves out many people in society, such as older people and victims of domestic violence who are financially controlled. Our group will table some amendments to make this a more just Bill that is fit for purpose for everybody. Some of thos…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach.
I am sorry.