Marie O'Halloran

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Marie O'Halloran

Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has apologised in the Dáil to “the victims of British terror and atrocities” over remarks he made during a debate on Gaza. In a personal statement the Clare TD corrected the record over remarks he made in a comparison between Israeli attacks on Gaza and the British army’s actions in Ireland over centuries. He said in the Dáil that the British army never retaliated to IRA attacks by “bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland”.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Marie O'Halloran

Legislation to provide enhanced health and education supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions could end up reinstitutionalising them late in life, the Dáil has heard. TDs on Wednesday night passed, by 87 votes to 71, the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill, which was first introduced last year.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Marie O'Halloran

The Medical Council should have a role in dealing with the consultants involved in the hip dysplasia controversy, the Taoiseach has said. Micheál Martin told the Dáil the issue “should be formally referred” to the council or to the authorities in CHI (Children’s Health Ireland) and there was “an onus” on the council to be “proactive” in regulation of its members. It is “important the Medical Council takes a role here in term of the professional regulation of its members”, he said.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Marie O'Halloran

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald clashed in the Dáil over her party’s Bill to prevent the Central Bank having any involvement with Israeli bonds. The row followed a debate earlier on a Labour Party motion to call for a new emergency special session at the UN General Assembly and for the establishment of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Marie O'Halloran

The Dáil was suspended on Tuesday night after pro-Palestine protesters noisily disrupted proceedings. About 40 people held up Palestinian flags and unfurled a large banner stating “sanction Israel”. They banged on the protective glass of the visitors’ gallery chanting “stop the genocide” and “shame on you” during a debate on a Sinn Féin motion to prevent the Central Bank from allegedly facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds, which they said is funding genocide in Gaza.