Mother, lawyer, disability and mental health advocate from Blackrock/ Douglas.
Running for the Social Democrats in the European Elections for Ireland South.
There are currently over 13,000 people who are homeless and relying on emergency homeless accommodation in Ireland. If you want change you have to vote for it.
I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been selected this evening to run as the Social Democrats candidate for Ireland South. I'm looking forward to getting out and meeting as many people as possible over the next few weeks. Thank you to everyone for your support.
For the first time, the
@SocDems
will contest the European elections in Ireland South.
Tonight, Cork-based solicitor
@SusanDoyleSD
was selected as our candidate.
The Prime Time debate is starting. So disappointed to be excluded this evening. The Social Democrats have 6 elected TDs and 22 Councillors.
#primetime
#rte
I am very disappointed not to be included in the Prime Time Election Debate for Ireland South taking place on the 30th of May. As an immigration law expert I believe I have a lot to contribute to the debate. And the Social Democrats have 6 TDs and 22 Councillors and are polling…
Today the
@SocDems
launched its European and local government manifestos. Both are focused on tackling the issues which have been neglected by consecutive governments such as housing, public health, public transport and disability rights.
In 2012 I spent five months in Cambodia working in a community legal education centre.
Most of my work focused on teaching labour rights to small communities and fighting for labour rights in 'sweatshops'.
It was shocking to see how few obligations international companies had…
Since the beginning my campaign, the amount of abuse online has been astounding (example below). On the doors people are amazing. Online I've had abuse for months. No dialogue. Is this the kind of future we want for our country? Are these the people we want in government?
#primetime
I have worked in the immigration system for many years. There were delays of up to 5 years in processing claims in 2019. This was long before covid and the huge increase in migration. Why wasn't the system fixed then. The system is shambolic.
This is why we need to fight for EU laws which impose obligations on member states to enable people with disabilities to live in their own communities with the correct supports.
We had a great day meeting the residents in Silverdale and Beaumont. Lots of issues raised such as the need for better footpaths and accessibility in the area. Many people worried about health services also and the lack of investment in health generally.
The key areas coming up on the doors are housing, childcare, disability services and public health. These are the things that matter to real people throughout this country. The EU is a social and economic bloc and we legislate for social change which will benefit all.…
I attended a debate at SIPTU this evening where I signed a pledge to oppose 'union busting' if elected and to support legislation allowing collective bargaining. We need strong voices in Europe protecting workers rights. I plan to focus on improving social policy in Ireland if…
#migration
is a key area in the European Union and the system will be overhauled over the coming years. We need strong voices in the EU to ensure the system is just and effective. At the moment the system is stalled in Ireland due to lack of investment.
#primetime
John Mullins talking about migration saying FG has invested in the system. As a solicitor working in the area I have seen zero improvements in processing times. IPO staff are doing their best but under massive pressure and cannot function.
Ireland South covers over a million people across Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, meaning we have a lot of ground to cover. Each poster costs 10 euros, so any donation would make a massive difference!
Follow the link to donate the campaign
We need drastic change so that young people see a future in Ireland. We need housing, public transport, a lower cost of living and strong, thriving communities. Ireland is a wealthy country. We have billions of surplus funds and untapped funds and grants in the EU.
I'm asking…
What a great night at the May Day Event
@TheLeftBankSD
. It was incredible to share the stage with
@sineadgibney
and
@RoryHearneGaffs
. Such incredible candidates with a wealth of knowledge in EU law and policy.
Thank you for the invitation to the
@ifut_MIC
Branch during the
@irishcongress
#TradeUnionWeek
today. The issue of precarious employment in higher education is definitely one I will be championing if elected as MEP and I'll be sending on my pledge asap
#TradeUnionWeek
We had a great day in Charleville. Many issues raised including housing and infrastructure. The town is really suffering with the amount of traffic blocking up the main street and needs a ring road now.
This is me celebrating my Masters graduation day with my husband, Kieran, and our son Cal.
I started my Masters in International Human Rights Law and Policy at UCC in 2012 and completed it in 2014. (P1)
I attended this rally yesterday. The community came out fighting and won't stop until the elected Councillors start listening! People don't want this development.
Best of luck to everyone starting their leaving certificates today!! It's not the be all and end all. I didn't decide to do law until years after my leaving certificate. Try different things and enjoy your youth! You might be in a completely different career in 10 years time.
#primetime
the Migration Pact is being used as a band aid by FF and FG. They are trying to say it will fix everything but really a failure to invest is the issue with the international protection system.
The first question relates to migration. The delays in processing asylum claims is one of the biggest issues which we have. The system needs investment. Billy Kelleher is speaking about needing faster applications. Ireland does not need the migration pact to speed up…
Had a fantastic day in Clon with
@isobeltowse
. Clonakilty has such a vibrant and welcoming community. Also it's Ireland's first autism friendly town and definitely a great example of inclusiveness.
Ireland just needs investment in the IPO and in the international protection system in general to speed up asylum claims. The pact is irrelevant to this. Political will is lacking.
#rte
#primetime
This is an absolute disgrace. All people in Ireland should be able to access potentially life saving drugs. It is not acceptable that there are 2 tiers of health care, one for private and one for public patients. We need
#slaintecare
now.
The housing crisis is the reason so many young people are leaving Ireland. We need 250000 houses now. Not tomorrow. We need an EU housing action plan to ensure this crisis is dealt with. If the fiscal rules can be changed for defense, why not for housing?
I met loads of students in UCC to discuss their views on Ireland and the EU. It was so disheartening to hear so many say that they felt they had no option but to emigrate after finishing their studies.
Most of them said they would prefer to stay in Ireland but didn't see a…
Farmers are the back bone of Irish society. We need to protect their livelihoods in Europe and at home. We need further grants and subsidies, education and incentives for diversification and reduction ot carbon emissions.
This is a massive issue for farmers and home owners. The disease in ash trees means that roadside trees could die and cause serious injury by falling. The cost of removing the trees is high and people need the government's help with this.
#primetime
John Mullins speaking about immigration. He's talking about the improvements with the Gardai. There is a 4-6 month wait to register permissions in Cork due to lack of Gardai.
I attended the IFA hustings last night where the overwhelming feeling amongst farmers was anger and frustration that they were not being effectively represented in Europe. The main concerns were low income, red tape and the unreasonable pressures being placed on farmers.
(P6)The EU hasn’t introduced enough legislation to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
If elected, I will fight for disability rights to be at the heart of all legislation in Europe.
#susandoyleforirelandsouth
@SocDems
These so called
#nationalists
do not care about our country. They want to sow hatred and division. Decent Irish people know this. There are 30000 asylum seekers in Ireland. We should be able to accommodate them. People need housing, healthcare and proper public services.
@RTE_PrimeTime
"Farmers feel under siege", John Mullins doesn't agree. Farmers need so much more support. They're being put under massive pressure to help us to reach our climate goals. This needs to be fair and farmers must be supported more!
#primetime
Simon Harris on Pat Kenny saying the state can provide shelter and not homes but the state isn't even providing shelter. No planning, no foresight and no solutions.
@ArnseIos
And the bottle neck can only be dealt with by processing the claims. You cannot remove the right to appeal or you'll end up tying the courts up for years. We need to comply with constitutional, European and international laws. We can't risk retuning people to their deaths.
Irish farmers need to be listened to and their politicians need to acknowledge Ireland's unique position in agriculture in Europe. If elected I will keep the channels of communication open and consult continuously to make sure that farmers voices are being heard in Europe.
The situation is getting more and more ridiculous. Now Northern Ireland's High Court has said that asylum seekers in Northern Ireland cannot be sent to Rwanda.
(P2) Sharon has an intellectual disability, something that made me fiercely protective of her growing up. In the 80s in Ireland, disability rights were nonexistent.
(P3) When I say it was small, it really was, I was the sole staff member for the first year. In 2023, we moved to Douglas and now there are six of us.
We do a lot of work in disability law, housing, immigration law, and discrimination.
(P2) I was pregnant towards the end of that period, and in fact I defended my thesis three weeks after I gave birth. It was a busy time!
I have always had an interest in international and rights-based law, and in 2019 I set up a small practice on Grand Parade in Cork.
We need to ensure that we have an opt out to any defense pact. We need to maintain our incredible record as peacekeepers and use our experience in the North to be peace brokers. We are in a unique position with our history.
@RTE_PrimeTime
#rtept
#irelandsouth
(P3) I studied law because I wanted to help people like my sister. I worked for a time at Inclusion Ireland in an advocacy and policy role and today I’m a Solicitor and disability rights are a central part of my practice.
Returning people to the UK simply will not be possible unless the UK accepts them. Also the Irish High Court have said that the UK is not a safe Country. There is a lot that needs to be worked out before anyone is returned to the UK
This bill will have massive implications for Ireland. 3 weeks ago the High Court ruled that the UK was not a safe country to return asylum seekers to. This bill will ensure that the High Court ruling will not be overturned in the Supreme Court.
@RTE_PrimeTime
whoever is elected will be involved with negotiating and legislating for the new CAP. The next CAP needs to protect farmers, help them to diversify and support food security in Europe.
We have an opportunity to make Ireland a hub for renewable energy. We cannot rely on third countries as we've seen how geopolitical factors can impact our cost of living. We can generate wealth which can be used to improve public services at all levels.
Inflation is pushing people to their limits. The cost of living is at an all time high. We need decisive the interest rates to come down and further supports to reduce energy costs.
We can do so much more to improve disability rights at an EU level. Please vote for me on the 7th of June because if you want change, you have to vote for it.
@RTE_PrimeTime
the Mercosur deal is an absolute travesty. Farmers being told to reduce emissions and we make a trade deal with countries destroying the Amazon rainforests. The EU needs to meet its targets and we can do that while producing food within the EU.
@Siobhan_Nugent
@SocDems
@HollyCairnsTD
Hi Siobhan. This would be a decision made after the election. It would be a centre left party with the same ethos as the Social Democrats.
(P4) I’m involved with cases pushing for educational assessments for children with disabilities and I also take cases for people with disabilities who have been discriminated against.
In the recent case of A v IPAT the High Court decided that the UK is not a safe Country to return applicants. I don't understand how this legislation can now be pushed through.
I had a wonderful time in Wexford Town, it's such a cultural hub and we need to ensure towns like this across Ireland get the support and funding they need to continue to thrive.
@RTE_PrimeTime
John Mullins speaking about migration. FG and FF have not properly invested in the international protection system. The result is backlogs and decisions taking years. It's too little too late. The system needs a complete overhaul.
I am running for the European elections because I want to see real change both within Ireland and the EU. Our immigration system is broken and we can do so much more to fix it at an EU level.
@RTE_PrimeTime
talking about the end of the family farm. Farmers need support. They were told to increase their herd, took loans on that basis and then told to reduce their herd and cannot pay back the loans. This is no way to treat people!
(P5) Today my sister lives in an assisted-living community in Wilton. She was really lucky to get a place there, and I’m aware of so many people who haven’t been as lucky. We have a terrible track record in this country when it comes to supporting disabled people.
(P4) We are also involved in social justice projects and the Public Interest Law Alliance which helps people to find pro bono Solicitors.
I believe my experience in international and rights-based law will help me to be a strong voice for Ireland South in the European Parliament
@mark_o_carroll
It really isn't. Most solicitors receive a very low pay for taking these cases through legal aid. The courts are extremely strict in allowing judicial review in the high court and you have to have strong grounds to take a case which means a decision was flawed.
@PatrickBleno02
I can only speak for myself. I've been polling well and so has the party over the past number of years. Also the party has 6 TDs and 22 Councillors. This is why I am arguing that I should have been included. The other candidates can also make an argument.
@TinkerSmeII
@SocDems
So you have heard of me? Also practice disability law and housing. Have spent many years helping people get the services they need.
@ArnseIos
I know that since 2019 the IPO have not been able to keep up with the processing of asylum claims which means people are stuck in the system for years waiting on decisions. I've seen this with my own eyes. This was before the surge of migration. The system needs investment.