EU law experts: Attorney General was wrong, Ireland can pass the Occupied Territories Bill
Campaign to Pass the Occupied Territories Bill launched as Taoiseach signals intention to revisit issue and requests updated Attorney General guidance
Senators slams guillotining of deeply flawed Planning and Development Bill
Civil Engagement Group Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane, Frances Black and Eileen Flynn have today slammed the decision of the Government to guillotine Committee Stage consideration of its deeply flawed Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is riddled with significant and substantive defects.
Arms Embargo Bill to restrict transfer of munitions of war, weapons and dangerous dual-use goods to Israel
In light of Ireland’s recent recognition of the State of Palestine, the Seanad Civil Engagement group is calling for tangible actions to curb the flow of arms being used in the relentless assault against the people of Gaza. On Wednesday 29 May, Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane, Frances Black and Eileen Flynn will be bringing a Bill to the Seanad that seeks to ensure that munitions of war, weapons and dangerous goods are not being transferred to Israel through Ireland, either directly or indirectly.
Vote Yes Yes in Family and Care Referenda
As a former member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality and a longtime campaigner for change in this area, I am glad that we finally have a chance to amend our Constitution to recognise families in all their diversity and to recognise the role of care in society.
Senators introduce emergency legislation to ban arms transfers to Israel through Ireland
The Civil Engagement Group Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane, Frances Black and Eileen Flynn have introduced emergency legislation – the Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024 – in the Seanad which would ban the transit of weapons through Ireland to Israel.
Seanad passes Civil Engagement Group motion calling for immediate action on Palestine
A motion tabled by the Civil Engagement Group calling for immediate and urgent Government action on Gaza successfully passed the Seanad this evening unopposed.
Register to vote before 26th February! This will be the last chance to join the voting register for the next Seanad elections. Can you help spread the word?
Unfortunately, not everyone is currently entitled to a vote in Seanad elections. This is something Senator Higgins has worked to change by co-sponsoring a Seanad Reform Bill which would give all citizens over 18 a Seanad vote.
Civil Engagement Group Senators call on Government to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel
Members of the Seanad’s Civil Engagement Group have written a letter to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste asking the Government to join South Africa in charging Israel with genocide through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The group includes senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane, Frances Black and Eileen Flynn.
Bill from Senator Alice-Mary Higgins would give Coillte and Bord na Móna a “Mandate for Nature”
The Bill from Independent Senator Alice-Mary Higgins and her colleagues in the Seanad Civil Engagement Group would amend the Turf Development Act 1946 and the Forestry Act 1988 to change the outdated mandates of Bord na Móna and Coillte and insert new language on climate action and biodiversity.
In the case of Bord na Móna, this would strengthen the protection and restoration of bogs and in the case of Coillte the development and protection of native woodlands.