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The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Taoiseach tells Ivana Bacik she 'didn't have the courage' to be in Government
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN lashed out at Labour leader Ivana Bacik during Leaders' Questions today, telling her she did not 'have the courage' to be in Government. The heated exchange came as the Labour leader accused the Government of 'chaotic decision-making' in relation to rental regulation. Referring to the Government's decision to extend Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) across the country, Bacik said: 'Of course we support the extension of RPZs across the country, but not a hollowed out version of RPZs that offer no real protections for renters.' In response to her comments, the Taoiseach said the Government's actions will help increase the supply of rental properties. He then claimed that the Labour Party would not make 'difficult decisions' to increase supply. 'You will not support anything that in any way you perceive to be injurious to your electoral base or might cost you a few votes. That's the prism through which you're looking at our housing crisis,' he said. Bacik hit back:'I think anyone watching will be wondering when you're going to take political responsibility for the housing crisis. 'You're the Taoiseach, you're in Government, your party and Fine Gael have effectively governed together for the best part of a decade, and yet you're resorting to throwing critiques of the opposition for not building homes.' The Taoiseach then said that he had 'no difficulty' taking responsibility. 'You're the opposition, you say. You could have been in Government, you could have been a Government. 'You could have been a Government, but you didn't have the courage,' he said. Advertisement 'You and many in your party didn't have the courage,' Martin said, adding that he knows former Labour leader and TD Alan Kelly did want to go into Government, 'to be fair to him'. The Labour Party walked away from Government formation talks in December last year after the general election. At the time, Bacik said it was because the policy gap between her party and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael was too large. Rental regulation Leaders' questions in the Dáil today focused on the Government's proposed changes to how the rental sector in Ireland is regulated. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the Government of implementing changes that will lead to rent hikes for tenants. She said the changes will be a 'blueprint to boost the profit of the big boys and to screw over renters'. 'That's your plan, and you do this during a persistent cost-of-living crisis, when people are hit with price hikes right across the board. Over the last four years, the cost of the weekly shop has skyrocketed by €3000 a year for many, many families,' she said. Likewise, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore used her slot to criticise the Government's changes to rental regulation. 'You've been planning these rental reforms for months, and yet you made an absolute hames of them last week. Even your own Cabinet colleagues couldn't make sense of them,' she said. 'For the avoidance of any doubt, there was one simple thing that these reforms were to do, and that was to drive rents higher,' Whitmore said. Defending the changes, the Taoiseach said reforms will enhance protection for renters and highlighted the fact that every existing tenant will have their rents capped at 2% once the emergency legislation to extend the RPZs is passed later this week. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Take immediate action' demand issued to Govt after ‘shocking' nursing home exposé amid calls for regulation overhaul
THE Government has been urged to urgently overhaul regulation of private nursing homes following a shocking exposé . An 2 The leader slammed 'systematic' ageism Credit: Getty Images 2 She blasted Michael Martin in calls for immediate action Credit: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Both are run by Ireland's top private nursing home provider Emeis Ireland, who have apologised for the failings. Hiqa chiefs have now launched a sweeping review of all nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland, who run 27 facilities across the country. But as the Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Bacik called for the establishment of a statutory adult safeguarding framework and a root-and-branch review of Hiqa's inspection practices. READ MORE IN NEWS And the Labour supremo insisted there must be 'accountability' for 'profit-driven neglect of older people'. She said: 'The scenes revealed on RTE last Thursday were shocking – but for many, sadly, not surprising. "We saw vulnerable older people in private nursing homes being manhandled, neglected and humiliated. They were calling out for help and being ignored. "Staff were using incontinence pads as makeshift sheets because of equipment shortages. This is nothing short of systemic abuse. Most read in Irish News 'Twenty years on from Leas Cross, the public is once again reeling. But despite expressions of sympathy and tributes to RTE Investigates, the Taoiseach's response today fell far short. 'NO TIMELINE' "There was no timeline for change, no real accountability, and no mention of the voices that are still missing – the residents themselves. 'Absent from this debate are the people living in these institutions – out of sight and too often out of mind. If we are honest, systemic ageism has allowed a substandard care system to grow across our country. "And it is deeply disturbing that so many families feel petrified about the thought of ageing or moving into a nursing home. I've heard from people whose loved ones were injured or denied basic medication. "They tried to advocate, but were met with silence from Hiqa, the Ombudsman, or the HSA. This is utterly unacceptable." 'BEYOND BELIEF' The Labour leader continued: 'Hiqa, which was established after Leas Cross to prevent further abuse, is not fulfilling its duties. Reports are relied on by families – but in too many cases, they are misleading and dangerous. "It is beyond belief that Hiqa has been asked to lead the review of nursing home standards, despite its failure to spot the very abuses RTE exposed. "The public deserves better. Older people deserve better. 'I'm calling on Government to stop paying lip service and take immediate action to protect older people. We need a safeguarding framework – as recommended by the Law Reform Commission last year. We need robust, independent oversight. "And above all, we need to end the systemic ageism that has enabled the horrors we witnessed on RTE. Government must act now.'
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Situation in Gaza 'appalling and barbaric'
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described the situation in Gaza as "absolutely appalling and barbaric". Speaking in the Dáil, he said there is absolutely no justification for what is occurring in Gaza, adding that Israel's persecution of the war is causing "immense death, destruction and suffering to an entire population". Mr Martin said he believes the EU-Israeli trade agreement should be suspended pending review. Yesterday, the EU agreed to review its cooperation deal with Israel, after a clear majority of member states supported a Dutch proposal to do so. The Taoiseach said he welcomed this decision. Mr Martin was responding to Labour leader Ivana Bacik, who called on the Government to press the issue of Gaza at the United Nations. Ms Bacik said there are no words to describe the horror that Israel is inflicting upon the people of Gaza, adding that "the wickedness of starving children" cannot be overstated. "Ours is a small country, but we have fierce diplomatic power," Ms Bacik said. She said Ireland and countries around the world have a moral obligation to do more. "Ireland must stand with Palestinian children and civilians," she added. She said every step would be taken to stop the preventable death of infants, if they were from Ireland. "'[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's campaign was always driven by a plan to displace and exterminate," she said. "This is devastation, and the UN is failing in all our names." Labour calls on Government to table resolution at UN Ms Bacik said that Labour would be tabling a motion next week calling for collective measures by the UN to bring a lasting ceasefire and to send peacekeeping troops. She said the Government must "table an emergency resolution at the UN General Assembly to note the failure of the Security Council and call for collective measures to secure a lasting ceasefire and an international peacekeeping force for Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to flow and save lives". Deputy Bacik also called for the Government to implement the Occupied Territories Bill. Micheál Martin said he agreed with Ms Bacik's presentation of what is "an absolutely barbaric and appalling situation in Gaza". "It is simply wrong in principle and in law to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population whatever the circumstances and this behaviour constitutes a war crime," he said. He said he saw the comments by Israel's Finance Minister Smotrich who spoke about taking over Gaza. "He said it was absolutely reprehensible." The Taoiseach said hostages also needed to be released and said the 7 October attacks by Hamas were also barbaric. Mr Martin said there needed to be a ceasefire and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Deputy Bacik, meanwhile, praised Ireland's leadership on Gaza, but said what Israel was doing with impunity had to stop. "Ireland has to do more at international level and here at home," she said. In response, the Taoiseach said Ireland's response has been "more than just words", pointing to significant aid sent by Ireland to UNRWA. A lot of obstructions to aid in Gaza, UN spokesperson says Meanwhile, the deputy spokesperson with OCHA, the UN humanitarian office, has said systems to get aid into Gaza are overly complicated and a lot of obstructions are being put in place. Jens Laerke said that the latest information is that no aid has reached those who need it. Mr Laerke described the aid situation in Gaza at present as "tragic" saying that time is running out, and that aid organisations do not know how long Israel will allow aid to enter the enclave. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said the aid has not made it past the border because other trucks from inside Gaza need to drive to the crossing point and pick the aid up. However, these trucks were not given clearance to pick up the aid, he said. He said that aid agencies will try again today with more trucks needed on both sides. He added that the clock is ticking, however, and there is an immediate need to get the aid out of the transit point. Trucks with nutrition supplies are being prioritised, he said, particularly baby food. "There are a lot of babies and children who are malnourished and who will need this for their survival. "Food and nutrition supplies have been prioritised. "That is sitting there and needs to get out." He added that the opening of aid supplies to Gaza by Israel is temporary and that aid agencies do not know how much time they will have to get the aid in and how long it will be allowed for. "It could be days or perhaps a week, it's not clear," he said. "We have a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza." He said that aid is tracked by QR codes so the UN agencies have checks and balances in place to monitor what moves. However, Israel has also set up a system involving scanning, weighing and taking measurements of supplies before anything gets in, he added.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Bacik: Policy of criminalising cannabis use 'has failed'
Calls have been made for the decriminalisation of drugs as new figures reveal just 64 people have qualified for a medical cannabis programme. Labour leader Ivana Bacik has criticised the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP), saying the list of qualifying conditions is limiting uptake. "I have heard from some of those who do qualify that the programme is too complex and costly to access," she said. Ireland is among 70 countries that now have medicinal cannabis programmes in place. Spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) was the most common condition cited by the doctors for treatment with medical cannabis, followed by pain in MS and epilepsy. There have been 64 applications to date, all of which have been successful, under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) since it came into effect in November 2021. Four people qualified for medical cannabis in the first year of the scheme, with 28 applications approved in 2022 and 21 people approved in 2023. However, the number who qualified under the programme dropped to eight last year, while three people have so far been approved this year. Ms Bacik said: If the MCAP approvals are so low, and dipping further, there must be an examination of whether the scheme is working at all. Calling on the decriminalisation of the drug user through repealing Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, she said: "From my previous work as a criminal barrister, I have seen the harm done to individuals who have been brought in front of the criminal justice system for possession of drugs in personal amounts. "Many of those individuals were self-medicating or were using the drug to manage or cope with a health condition. "Clearly, the policy of criminalising the drug has failed. It has wreaked havoc on those who suffer with addiction and on their families. "The very worst harms of a criminalisation policy are experienced by people and communities who are already disadvantaged and marginalised." She said a new reformed approach must operate in the context of strategies to combat poverty and marginalisation too, as well as to ensure timely access to mental and physical healthcare. Ms Bacik also called on the Government to act on the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on drugs more broadly. Read More No timeline set for Ava's Protocol on medicinal cannabis in hospitals
The Journal
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Labour's marriage equality event forced to move venues amid protest threats
THE LABOUR PARTY was forced to change venues for its marriage equality anniversary event today following threats of protest, it has said. The event was due to be held at the Hen's Teeth in Dublin 8, but following threats being made against a number of public representatives and due to concerns being raised about staff working at the venue, the party said it had no choice but to move the event to the Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre. The party said it informed the gardaí about a number of public representatives being targeted and also about protests which were due to take place this evening. Sources within the party said the protest is understood to centre around the issue of immigration rather than about the subject of the event, the tenth anniversary of marriage equality in Ireland. They said posters to advertise the event were hung around Dublin in the last week. Party leader Ivana Bacik, Senator Laura Harmon, James Kearney, Chair of Labour LGBTQ+ and Eamon Gilmore, former leader of the Labour Party spoke at tonight's event. Speaking this evening, Bacik said: 'It's a great shame that our event to celebrate 10 years of marriage equality was targeted by members of the far right. Like many groups which have been historically marginalised in Ireland, the LGBTQ+ community has had to fight for its rights, often in the face of intimidation. Advertisement 'Labour has always been proud to stand with them in that fight, whether it was for the decriminalisation of homosexuality, for legal protections from employment discrimination, for the right to marry, for gender recognition laws, for access to PrEP and other prophylactics, and more. 'More recently, Labour was one of few political parties in Ireland to remain steadfast in our support for the introduction of stronger hate speech and hate crime legislation.' Bacik said while the safety of activists is paramount, the party took a decision 'not to bow to intimidation'. She thanked the Outhouse Centre for offering the use of its venue to allow tonight's event to go ahead and the gardaí for their advice and support in advance of tonight. Thanks was also extended to those in other political parties who came in support of the event this evening such as Green Party politicians, Michael Pidgeon and Patrick Costello, Jen Cummins of the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin's Kourtney Kenny. 'The far right cannot stop us from coming together to celebrate ten years of marriage equality, and they cannot stop us from asking 'what's next?' for LGBTQ+ rights. The events of the last few days have only served to emphasise the importance of that question,' said Bacik. She said the Labour Party remains steadfast in its determination to see the values of equality, solidarity and fairness for everyone in society be realised. Speaking at the event, Labour Senator Laura Harmon said the ten year anniversary of marriage equality is a reminder that there is much work to do in terms of equality for LGBTQI+ families and in terms of supporting the transgender community. 'Seeing Hungary ban Pride Parades is a reminder that rights can be rowed back on and we must protect the rights we have won,' she said. Harmon said the party must never stop campaigning for a better future. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
