Eileen Flynn Condemns Trump's 'Dumb' Remark on Dyslexia
Eileen Flynn confronted a recent comment by Donald Trump that labelled people with dyslexia as "dumb". Speaking in the chamber she defended children with learning differences and urged leaders to call out such language.
Statement delivered in the chamber
Eileen Flynn addressed the Cathaoirleach and the chamber to challenge remarks attributed to Donald Trump. She reminded listeners that Ireland has over 63,000 children with dyslexia and said those children are not "stupid" or "dumb."
Defence of children and families
Flynn framed the issue as more than rhetoric: she described the emotional harm inflicted on parents and children when leaders belittle learning differences. She rejected the idea that such language should be tolerated from powerful figures and spoke directly to families whose children struggle at school.
Critique of leadership and global implications
The speaker criticised what she called narrow-minded leadership, saying leaders worldwide must not be cowed into silence. She urged other leaders to stand up rather than acquiesce to rhetoric that marginalises vulnerable people.
Tone and appeal
Flynn's remarks were forceful and personal, combining indignation with plainspoken language. The address called for respect for people with learning differences and for political leaders to show accountability and care.
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Thank you, Cathaoirleach. Cathaoirleach, last week Donald Trump made a comment around people with dyslexia, saying that people with dyslexia was dumb. We have over 63,000 children in Ireland with dyslexia and I want to send those children a message to say that you are not stupid, you are not dumb, you know. And to take a leader of a country who can say what he wants to say, cause as many wars as he wants, he's not accountable to absolutely nobody, he's a simple man with a simple mind that judges people, a narrow-minded man that doesn't care about other individuals. How many mothers have children with additional needs? How many children, as we stand in this chamber this evening, are struggling in school to hear a statement like that from Donald Trump? If I was the likes of Donald Trump, I'd give myself a real good wash, get the orange off my face and act like a leader that he's meant to be for the country that he's meant to lead in. He should be ashamed of himself. Leaders around the world are looking at him, just having talks with him because they have no choice. To be so hated and to come out and to turn on children, with people with learning difficulties, with people calling people dumb. My mother used to say, Lord Mercy Pen, never laugh at a fool because you only get worse. But he's not a fool. If he was a fool, he wouldn't be the President of America. He's a mad man that's full of ego and full of control. And we need leaders around the world to stand up to him and not to be afraid of him, because of wars now looking to invade Cuba. Come on, we have to, as leaders, stand up to this man again. If I was like him, honest to God, a bar of soap in the pound shop, a good wash, and just sit down with his family, be realistic and lead, not to be doing what he's doing with his silly statements and putting down mother and father's hard-earned. The world is not hard enough without children believing they're dumb because they have a learning difference, not a learning disability.
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