TD Jim O’ Callaghan (FF) reacts to the latest removal of asylum seekers to alternative accommodation

Listen on RTÉ

On RTÉ Radio 1 with Tom McEnaney, Media Consultant & Founder of Effective Aid Ukraine // Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Bay South and party spokesman for justice // James Waterhouse, BBC Ukraine correspondent.

Listen on RTÉ

In a recent statement, Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan has drawn attention to the precarious conditions prevailing on Mount Street, labeling them as both perilous and intolerable. O’Callaghan’s remarks highlight a pressing need for proactive measures to rectify the situation, stressing the imperative for relevant authorities to step in and address the burgeoning concerns. Urgency is paramount, he asserts, in safeguarding the welfare and security of the local community.

Read more at breakingnews.ie.

Picture credit: breakingnews.ie

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and to provide for postponement of maternity leave where a mother has been diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness during pregnancy, and to provide for related matters.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the maternity protection Acts so that a mother who has recently given birth to a child but who has been diagnosed during pregnancy or immediately after it with cancer or another serious illness may propose postpone her maternity leave until after she has had treatment for the cancer or the serious illness. Each year in Ireland approximately 60 women are diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or immediately after the birth of their child. I do not have specific statistics on the number of women who are diagnosed with another serious illness during pregnancy or immediately after the birth of their child but I suspect it is as high. Approximately 120 to 150 women per year find themselves in the very distressful and unfortunate position that at a time just after they have given birth to a child and should be enjoying their maternity leave, instead they find themselves in the situation where they are effectively on sick leave and are getting treated for cancer or another serious illness.

The effect of that is the time they are supposed to be spending on maternity leave is being eaten up by treatment for their illness. In effect, the maternity leave to which they are entitled never really comes into operation because while they are out from work in the immediate aftermath of the birth of their child, they are being treated for a serious illness that in ordinary course is covered by sick leave.

This is an unfortunate, and clearly not an intended, circumstance that exists within our legislation. It is, however, something that could be rectified by the enactment of this legislation.

I wish the Taoiseach all the best in his future career and, in fairness to him, he played a significant role in introducing paternity leave in Ireland. It would be a worthwhile addition to his legacy if he expedited this legislation. The reason for that is that we find ourselves in the unusual position where men in Ireland are able to postpone their paternity leave to a time that suits them. Conversely, however, women have no similar entitlement to postpone their maternity leave in circumstances where they have been diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness. I am concerned that this dichotomy between the treatment of men and women may raise issues under Article 40.1 of the Constitution but, notwithstanding that, every Member will recognise that there is an inherent unfairness in not permitting women to postpone their maternity leave so that they can enjoy their time with their child after they have had their treatment for the serious illness. The effect of not doing so means that they do not really get the benefit of the maternity leave that every Member knows is so important.

The legislation seeks to amend the Maternity Protection Bill, which was enacted in 1994 and which was further amended in 2004. The proposed legislation seeks to introduce a new section 14(c) after 14(b). It provides that a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness during pregnancy or in the immediate aftermath of her pregnancy may then postpone that maternity leave to a time when she has recovered from the illness or the cancer.

It then proposes after that a certain regime, which takes into account the entitlement of the employer to be apprised of the fact that the woman is seeking to postpone the maternity leave. It also seeks to recognise the fact that this will not interfere with any entitlements an employee may have to sick leave under the Sick Leave Act 2022.

I ask that consideration be given to this Bill. As I have mentioned, the Taoiseach deserves to be commended on the role he played with regard to paternity laws that were introduced. We have a situation such as this, where the maternity laws are manifestly unfair to that very small cohort of women who find themselves in the unfortunate situation that their maternity leave has been overtaken by sick leave because of an illness they have contracted during pregnancy or afterwards. They are then precluded from the benefits of the Acts. It is something that everyone in the House will agree would be of benefit to women. It has the support of the Irish Cancer Society and I am sure it has the support of other organisations as well who have the priority of women at the foremost of their interest.

Dáil Éireann debate – Wednesday, 20 Mar 2024

An Bille um Chosaint Máithreachais (Leasú), 2024 Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024
Meabhrán Míniúcháin Explanatory Memorandum

An Bille um Chosaint Máithreachais (Leasú), 2024 Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024

In a compelling analysis originally by John Drennan for Irish News, a stark warning emerges about An Garda Síochána’s future. Nearly half of the force faces retirement by 2028, posing a significant threat to the government’s expansion plans. This scenario sees over 6,400 officers nearing retirement, highlighting the acute need for a more aggressive recruitment and retention strategy.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee reveals data pointing to a sharp increase in retirements. This situation demands an urgent and comprehensive recruitment plan. Amid this backdrop, Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan offers a forward-looking solution. He advocates for enhancing training facilities and tapping into the Garda Reserve to mitigate the impending manpower crunch.

O’Callaghan’s proactive measures spotlight the necessity for swift action to preserve the force’s strength and efficacy. He champions the expansion of training and recruitment to confront the looming shortage of Garda personnel head-on, underlining the importance of ensuring public safety through sustained force levels.

Key Insights and Actions:

• Retirement Crisis: With nearly 50% of Gardaí eligible for retirement soon, a robust response is crucial.
• Recruitment Strategy: Justice Minister McEntee’s data calls for a reinforced recruitment drive.
• O’Callaghan’s Proposal: Expanding training and utilizing the Garda Reserve are key to replenishing ranks.
• Public Safety Priority: Maintaining force levels is essential for community security.

Enhancing Gardaí Recruitment:

Immediate efforts to boost Gardaí numbers are vital. Incorporating O’Callaghan’s suggestions into policy could mark a turning point in addressing this critical challenge.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is receiving calls to include more countries as “safe” in efforts to intensify the crackdown on illegal immigration. An EU document mentioned by backbencher Jim O’Callaghan at a confidential party meeting indicates that Ireland counts among the EU nations with the least number of countries considered safe.

Martin has promised his peers he will review the strategies of other EU nations before responding to the party.

A total of 16 countries within the EU recognize a larger number of countries as safe compared to Ireland. Countries at the forefront, like the Netherlands, which lists 33 countries, and Cyprus, with 29, outpace Ireland.

Ireland currently identifies ten countries as safe, with the Government having added two more recently.

The report from the EU Agency for Asylum reveals that only four states list fewer countries as safe than Ireland, with 22 member states now utilizing these safe country lists.

“Several other European countries maintain longer lists of countries they consider safe, and Ireland ought to contemplate adding more countries to its roster,”

Mr. O’Callaghan stated.

“This designation procedure is integral to the international protection framework and will aid in accelerating applications, thus ensuring those deserving of international protection can receive a favorable decision promptly.”

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan has called for the terminus for Dublin’s MetroLink to be moved from Charlemont in the south city centre to Tara Street or St Stephen’s Green.

Mr O’Callaghan, who represents the Dublin Bay South constituency where three MetroLink stops will be located, said that while he is in favour of approval being granted in general terms by An Bord Pleanála, it is “unusual” for a major European city not to have a termination point between the airport and the city centre.

He was speaking during the second day of An Board Pleanála’s oral hearing into the MetroLink project.

Digital impression of the entrance to the proposed Charlemont Metrolink station. Photograph: Metrolink.ie

Location of planned terminus would have ‘severely detrimental impact’ on surrounding residential area, Jim O’Callaghan tells hearing

The proposed Charlemont Metrolink station should be axed and the line terminated in Dublin city centre, Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan told An Bord Pleanála’s hearing on the €9.5 billion underground rail project.

The 18.8km line, is planned to run from north of Swords to Dublin Airport, then on to Ballymun, Glasnevin, O’Connell Street and St Stephen’s Green before terminating at Charlemont, with 16 stations along the route.

Mr O’Callaghan said while it makes sense to link the airport with a central transport hub, Charlemont was not in the city centre, was outside the canal, and was a most “unusual hub”.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan has called for tougher sanctions against airlines that allow passengers into the State without having proper identification.

Figures provided to Deputy ‘Callaghan, left, in response to parliamentary queries show the Garda National Immigration Bureau issued 958 fines to passengers who failed to present proper ID to airlines in 2022.

A further 918 fines were issued last year up until the end of November: However, Justice Minister Helen McEntee refused to say how many airlines were fined for allowing passengers into the country.

Dubin Bay South TD Mr. ‘Callaghan warned:

“If this law is frequently being broken then the fines on airlines may need to be increased.”