Speeches: 18 May 2026

Whatever our views of the Middle East conflict, we should be able to unite in condemning rape.

This is the height of disregard and disrespect and I implore the Irish Government to find a solution like they did during the last Presidency 13 years ago.

Awareness matters, but the next step must be policy change.

It was a very positive, warm meeting and it was a privilege to meet with King Charles.

We have seen devastation though for the businesses, for those who are working in those industries and also for many community groups and those that deal with people with a disability and intellectual disabilities so I want to stress that we need to find alternative arrangements for anybody that is reliant on the community services in particular.

So I say we must raise awareness of the signs and the symptoms by putting targeted education campaigns into schools, clubs and communities.