Heckling, James Reilly leaving early, and questions about term limits on abortion – the first day of the Oireachtas hearings on abortion legislation had a lot of drama. Here’s what happened.
The news comes days after former ‘Belle de Jour’ escort Brooke Magnanti expressed her concerns about the fact no sex workers to date had spoken to the committee.
Brooke Magnanti told TheJournal.ie that sex workers themselves need to get to speak to the government on the issue – not just groups representing them.
Dr Anthony McCarthy of the National Maternity Hospital said that there is a wrong assumption that women will try to manipulate psychiatrists by saying they are suicidal in order to have a termination.
TFMR Ireland said that it is upset that, despite numerous requests, it has has not been invited to take part in this week’s Oireachtas committee hearings on abortion legislation in Ireland.
They will speak about the challenges facing their families with the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, chaired by Joanna Tuffy (pictured).
A delegation from the Committee of Public Accounts will travel there against a backdrop of revelations that Irish Aid funds in Uganda were misappropriated.
Mike Aynsley, the chief executive of the Irish Banking Resolution Corporation, was criticised by members of an Oireachtas committee yesterday for his salary.
They were questioned on issues such as salary, hospitality policy and the final cost of the bank to the State (which it turns out will be a few billion less than estimated).
Initial investigations suggest there could be a major gas reserve in the north-west of the country – but the possible use of fracking to extract the gas is highly controversial.
The committee report also recommended the development of a Technology Visa to enable skilled workers from abroad to fill IT skill shortages in Ireland.
FRANCE HAS BECOME the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law today following months of bitter political debate.
In Ireland last month, 79 per cent of delegates at the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of same-sex marriage but the Government will hold off on a referendum until next year despite the overwhelming support.
It comes two years after the legalisation of Civil Partnership.
Is another year too long for a referendum on gay marriage? Or, are you opposed to the idea entirely?
So today, we want to know what do you think. Would you welcome the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland today, similar to France?
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