Since The Election
I have raised the following issues, and others besides, in the Seanad:
- The need for a multi-denominational primary school system
- The lack of support for parents working outside the home in state policy on childcare and the need to introduce paid paternity and parental leave
- The need for legislation specifically prohibiting female genital mutilation
- The need for a measured response to drug related crime
- The continued detention of Colombian politician and human rights activist Ingrid Betancourt by FARC guerillas, and what Ireland is doing to secure her release
- The urgent need for legislation on sex trafficking to bring Ireland into line with our international obligations
- The need to pass legislation allowing for abortion in Ireland
- The need to pass legislation providing for legal recognition of same-sex relationships (I helped to draft Senator David Norris’ Civil Partnership Bill which is currently on the Seanad Order Paper)
- The need for the Seanad to annul a Statutory Instrument allowing dredgers to fish for cockles in the Passage East estuary in Co. Waterford (because of the damage done to marine life through this practice) - supported by Coastwatch Ireland
In addition I have introduced a Private Member’s Bill, the Climate Protection Bill 2007 – which if passed would commit this and future governments to make specified annual reductions in carbon emissions. The Bill was debated on 3rd October 2007, debate was adjourned and it will be debated further. The Bill is supported by Friends of the Earth (Ireland) and the stop climate chaos coalition.
For more information on these and other issues in which I have been involved, see the Oireachtas website, www.oireachtas.ie.
For more information on the Climate Protection Bill, see the Friends of the Earth website, www.foe.ie
