Senator Alice-Mary Higgins speaking about the Cerrejón Mine

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins joins demonstration demanding the ratification of the UNCRPD

The Irish government signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2007. Ten years later, the government still hasn't ratified this convention. I joined the crowds outside Leinster House to demand no more delays to the ratification of this convention. The incredible Joanne O'Riordan delivered a very powerful speech calling on Ireland to ratify the convention and to deliver equal rights for people living with a disability here. 

I continue to work with my colleague in the Civil Engagement Group, Senator John Dolan of the Disability Federation of Ireland to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities in the Seanad.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins urges European Parliamentarians to reject a proposal which would deny MEPs powers of oversight over the €13 billion European Defence Fund

The proposal, due to be voted on by the parliament this week, in the last plenary session before the elections, would limit decisions on the work programme of the European Defence Fund to the European Commission and committees through “implementation acts”, effectively bypassing debate, criticism or approval from MEPs.