Pairing and maternity leave vote
Senators Ahearn and Flynn exchanged points about a colleague pairing with someone on maternity leave and the implications for voting. The Cathaoirleach said it was a matter for the other House, while Ahearn argued the system should better support women and family life in politics.
I agree with what Senator Flynn says about someone who agreed to pair with someone who is on maternity leave.
Comment on this
The matter raised by Senators Ahearn and Flynn are matters for the other House and not for this House. That is a matter for the people involved.
Comment on this
I am only commenting on what another Senator said in this room five minutes ago.
Comment on this
The only point I am making is that everyone is under pressure in respect of how to vote. People in Clare would understand if the person in question said to them that the reason she cannot vote is because she is covering someone who is on maternity leave. We are trying to change the dynamics in this building to help women, in particular, but also to help everyone with families to be able to work in a better environment and attract people to politics. It is important to say that.
I welcome back the Cathaoirleach from his work on the behalf of the country and thank him for what he has done in Bahrain and Africa. I know he met our friends from Ukraine while he was in Bahrain and reinforced the message from the Government that they have our support. From talking to them, I know they appreciate that and look forward to working with us and, in particular, with the Seanad in the light of the work we have done in the past year.
I welcome today's announcement that 100 jobs are being created in Clonmel by a local family-run company called SEPAM. The chairman of the company, Mr. Gus Kearney, his son, also Gus, and his wife, Audrey, yesterday met the Taoiseach and the CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Mr. Leo Clancy, about the announcement of 100 engineering jobs for the town of Clonmel. SEPAM has 600 people employed across the world, including 50 in Clonmel. That number will now rise to 150. As a Government, we talk about creating employment. There are almost 2.6 million people working in the country, which is the highest ever employment level. We are focused on rural and regional employment. This is a prime example of a good, big multinational company that is creating employment locally in the heart of Tipperary in Clonmel, together with other big multinational companies in Clonmel. It is important to recognise that news and to congratulate Gus and Audrey, and the whole family, on what they have achieved.