Seanad CEG

Delighted to be invited to speak at #HeritageHorizons and bring my perspective to the discussion on heritage. Keeping Traveller culture alive means making sure our voices and stories are heard. So we can help shape Ireland’s future as well as remembering its past.

This is hugely important news. The Occupied Territories Bill I tabled in 2018 was clear, and the ICJ agreed in 2024 - we must end all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods & services. Today's vote in favour from the FA Ctte is a crucial step towards that,…

STATEMENT: The Oireachtas must reject scaremongering about the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government, the EU, the ICJ, the ICC and the UN are all clear: the settlements are illegal under international law. It is well past time the Occupied Territories Bill was made law.

Very important.. the EU this week recognised that individual countries like Ireland may ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements under EU law. In June 9 EU MS (incl 🇮🇪) called for a ban. Now 🇫🇷 calls to end "all forms of financial support, direct & indirect" to settlements 👇

This is the US group who provide the “expert legal analysis” on the OTB covered in today’s Irish Times. Palestine is not occupied, the settlements are Israel, these are just “Israeli goods”. The lawyer has represented Trump Jr & organised crime cases. “Expert legal analysis”.

The excellent Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh tells Dáil FA Ctte re OTB: "The Govt's narrow focus on goods fails to ensure compliance with the duty set out by the ICJ. There is no basis in int. law for differentiating between trade in goods & trade in services in the manner proposed."

US politicians are defending Israel’s efforts to tear up international law and annex the West Bank. They’re criticising Ireland and the Occupied Territories Bill. What should we do? Debated the case on @drivetimerte yesterday, you can listen back here: rte.ie/radio/radio1/c…

Govt Occupied Territories Bill at Cabinet today, and in Dáil Foreign Affairs Committee next week. A very welcome, important and long overdue step - but we have to get the detail right. That means a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods & services.…

At last Nine European Union countries have called on the European Commission to come up with proposals on how to discontinue EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters today reuters.com/world/middle-e…

Today the Seanad advanced my Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse Material Amendment Bill. A crucial step towards replacing harmful terminology that implies children consent to abuse. Words matter. Children cannot consent. Our laws must reflect this! #CallItWhatItIs 1/2

Briefing the media today about the crucial Seanad debate tomorrow on my Child Sexual Abuse Material bill. Children cannot consent, it is abuse! Our laws must accurately reflect this. Time to #CallItWhatItIs and replace harmful terminology with language that centres survivors.

‘Pornography’ implies consent and Children cannot consent. My bill is about recognising the reality of child abuse. On Wednesday, Ireland can join intl best practice by adopting accurate terminology for crimes against children. #CallItWhatItIs: Child Sexual Abuse Material

I met with @SimonHarrisTD today on the Occupied Territories Bill. I've worked tirelessly on this issue since 2018, and finally, after seven years, I think we will see action. This is so important, and we can't waste any more time. We need to act with the urgency this moment…

This Saturday, from 2-4pm at The Gresham, @aliceeire and @frances_black will be speaking at a public rally in defence of neutrality. The Government are preparing to remove the Triple Lock and greatly undermine our neutrality. It is so important to show your opposition, join us!

Today, I was delighted to meet over 100 passionate students from Irish-medium primary schools in Dublin 2, 4, 6 & 8. They stood outside Leinster House, demanding clarity on the upcoming Gaelcholáiste opening this September. Despite eight months of requests, their voices have gone…

Opposition TDs and Senators have come together calling on the public to oppose the dilution of the Triple Lock, saying Government plans to amend it will undermine Ireland's neutrality rte.ie/news/ireland/2…

I’m disappointed the Govt reversed the accommodation allowing Traveller representation to chair our crucial Oireachtas committee. “Nothing for us, without us” isn’t just a slogan. Without a Traveller voice guiding this work, how can we ensure true equality and accountability?

🚨 Update on the Arms Embargo Bill: Thanks to the massive pressure from the public, the government Senators did not oppose the Arms Embargo Bill, and it passed through the Committee Stage. It is now moving on to the next stage of the legislative process, 1/ 🧵 #StopArmingIsrael

Weapons flights exemptions which allow aircraft carrying munitions to fly through Irish airspace hit a 13-year high in 2024. #PatKenny newstalk.com/news/exemption…

🇵🇸 🚨 URGENT: The @seanadceg is introducing our Arms Embargo Bill this week as a private members’ bill. We need YOUR support to ensure Ireland isn’t complicit in the Gaza genocide. Email senators, share this thread and help us get this passed. 🧵 Here’s why it’s important…