Blog Archive
Minister O'Sullivan committed to ending long-term homelessness by 2016
Posted on February 21, 2013
“Homelessness is an affront to every value that we assign to the concept of citizenship. In a real republic there is an onus on us to ensure that all citizens have a place they can call home,” Minister Jan O’Sullivan said today following the launch of the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement at the Custom House.
The Minister set 2016 at the target for ending long-term homelessness saying ‘achieving this important goal in the year that marks the centenary of the 1916 Rising is something that I would urge everyone to support’.
Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Environment
Leaders' Questions, February 21st 2013
Posted on February 21, 2013
This morning's Leaders' Questions taken by the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, saw debate on Child Benefit, distressed mortgages and Croke Park.
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Ireland was wrong, not you, Gilmore tells women from the Magdalene laundries
Posted on February 20, 2013
The following is the speech the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore made in the Dail on the Magdalen Laundries Report
I want to join with the Taoiseach, and with my fellow Ministers, in offering, on behalf of the State and the Irish people, a heartfelt apology to the survivors of the Magdalen Laundries.
I want to say to those women, some of whom are with us today, that we have heard you, we believe you, and we are profoundly sorry for what was done to you.
That what happened to you, as children or as adults, should not have happened. It was Ireland that was wrong, not you.
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Quinn opens conference on tackling homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools
Posted on February 20, 2013
The Minister for Science and Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD, today opened a conference on homophobic and transphobic bullying, in association with Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council.
Held by the ILGA – Europe, (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) which is examining the issue of homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools in association with the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) and BeLonG To Youth Services.
Creating safer and more inclusive schools for LGBT youth is a rising priority across Europe. It is also a key priority of the Government and forms a core part of the recent Action Plan on Bullying launched by Minister Quinn last month.
Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Education
Mater Hospital A&E opens
Posted on February 19, 2013
After almost ten years, I held the final vigil on Saturday outside the Mater Hospital A&E on Saturday. I am delighted that theMater’s new Accident and Emergency Department finally opened for patients on Sunday, the 17 th of February . I visited the new state-of-the-art A&E last week, and I saw for myself the impressive new facilities that should greatly enhance the environment for both patients and staff.
The purpose of the weekly vigil, which started in April 2003, was to highlight the deplorable state of the A&E in the Mater Hospital and the unacceptable practice of A&E patients left sitting on chairs and lying on trolleys for long periods of time while waiting for a bed for treatment.
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Leaders' Questions, February 14th 2013
Posted on February 14, 2013
Leaders' Questions taken by Minister Brendan Howlin today saw debate on the Promissory notes/bank debt, the leaking of the report into the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar and property tax. You can watch the entire proceedings from the video.
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'Make no mistake, we will see this through' Minister Kathleen Lynch tells the Dáil speaking on the Magdalene Laundry report
Posted on February 13, 2013
Speaking in the Dáil last night Minister Kathleen Lynch about the Magdalene Laundries Minister Kathleen Lynch told the House of the importance to acknowledge the hurt that many people felt during their time in the laundries which was 'exacerbated by the failure of others over many years to listen to their stories or to seek out the truth of what happened to them'.
She said the decision by the Government to establish a committee to look at the issues of the State's involvement with the Magdalen laundries was a 'clear recognition' that that failure had to be addressed and the truth had to be found.
"Indeed, when the truth was found, it had to be told."
Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Justice
Youth unemployment biggest challenge facing Europe
Posted on February 08, 2013
Youth unemployment was high on the agenda for today’s meeting of European Ministers for Social Protection and Employment which was part of a two-day event held in Dublin Castle as part of the Irish Presidency. Chaired by Minister Joan Burton , the theme of yesterday and today’s meetings was ‘Getting people into work’.
“Unemployment when young has been shown to have lasting negative effects throughout a person’s life, which makes it imperative to tackle the youth unemployment crisis in Europe, “ Minister Burton said.
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Leaders' Questions, February 7th 2013
Posted on February 07, 2013
Leaders' Questions from this afternoon, which focused on the debt deal, is now available to watch on YouTube. You can see the entire proceedings from the accompanying video.
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Permanent link | Comments | Categories: LeadersQuestions • EamonGilmore
FAQ on today's events
Posted on February 07, 2013
Earlier we posted a Q&A on The end of the IBRC and what happens next. We've another Q&A post which explains everything that has happened this afternoon.
What is the latest breakthrough on Ireland’s debt?
Today, 7 February 2013, the Irish Government has agreed with the European Central Bank to replace the odious promissory note with a long-term, low interest (cheaper) loan (government bond).
So what does the deal mean for Ireland?
The Taoiseach announced in the Dáil, following a discussion with cabinet and agreement of the ECB, that the promissory note arrangement (IOU) would be replaced with long-term, low interest government loan (bond).
Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Finance
