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THE DÁIL FELL silent for two minutes this afternoon as TDs debated a private members’ motion on the issue of cochlear implants for children who are deaf.
As parents of these children staged a silent protest outside the Dáil Sinn Féin was inside aiming to get the government to agree to fund the provision of bilateral cochlear implants for around 200 children.
Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien called for the Minister for Health to provide the €12.8 million for the scheme.
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He asked that the Dáil observe the silence “to get some understanding of what those children have to endure”.
“If two minutes felt awkward I can only imagine what a lifetime of silence would be like,” O’Brien told the chamber after the silence.
James Reilly has previously said that the provision of bilateral implants is “a high priority” for government next year, but there was no specific announcement in the Budget on Tuesday.
Reilly repeated that claim today, saying it is one of his “top priorities” during a statement on the motion.
Earlier, speaking on behalf of the government, junior minister Kathleen Lynch said that any plan to provide bilateral cochlear implants “needs to be developed and argued in the Health Service Executive service plan and that’s what’s going to happen here”.
“We are in there and we are negotiating the service plan and we are negotiating it to get the best possible result,” she said referring to the HSE budgetary plan for next year which is expected to be published in the next three weeks.
She said it is “her fervent hope that we can” provide implants for the children. The debate can be watched here.
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@Barry Somers: the “Stone Age” was where Ireland was this time last year.
If people in Alabama want to restrict access it is their right to do so as much as ours is to grant access. I’m not an expert on local politics there but I presume in some way the legislate represents the general opinion in the state.
If the federal government wants to pass an amendment deeming access so fundamental that states can’t restrict it, that is possible too.
We seem very quick to judge other counties social choices often. Each to their own is the best policy – we can make ours and they can make theirs.
@Barry Somers: this is one of the many lies spun by the pro aborts, aided and abetted by the biased one sided media.
The most recent figures at the time of the referendum from the Dublin rape crisis Centre showed of the 11 pregnancies through rape only one resulted in an abortion. One abortion annually was used to justify what seems to be a figure of close to 10000 annually, a rise from previous estimated numbers of 3000-4000.
Pro aborts would stoop to any level to continue the ending of human life to suit their agenda, they will use any evil and despicable act to further their cause and ignore the reality that in every single abortion and innocent life is ended, but under no circumstances will they acknowledge or discuss that.
@thephantomshit: all the points you make are non-sensical in a debate. It’s not enough to say if that’s what they want to do then let them. Your hippy mentality means that women are being told that the law says we can’t save you so you must die and no one should say stop.
@eric nelligan: where re you getting this stuff from? 10,000? How did you get that number? Also, 1 in 11 where rape was proven from one organisation is not representative unless you think that only 11 incidents of rape happened in Ireland that year.
@Dave O’Keeffe: for someone that comments an awful lot of abortion stories you really aren’t that up to date on what you promote, the 10000 number has been in the news a few times over the past few weeks, the rotunda first released the figure a month ago and GPs reiterated it at their conference.
@eric nelligan: so it’s an estimate then and in reality it probably means the numbers given of those travelling for abortion previously was on the low side. What about your claim about rape? No defense for that one? Or your claim that the majority of women voted against repeal?
@eric nelligan: also, you neglected to mention that the number includes medical abortions which wouldn’t have previously been counted. From your source only 20% will be surgical so that’s down to 2000.
@eric nelligan: my mother had an abortion. She had 4 children at the time and she was suffering from depression.
You are in your right to call my mum a child murderer, but no matter how many times you say it, my vote, my family vote and everyone who loved her would still be a Yes.
Yes vote didn’t come from an agenda or a secret conspiracy as you might think, it just came from generations of people’s real life experiences vs worn out arguments with no back up from modern science.
@eric nelligan: actually 25% result in spontaneous abortion =3/11 plus your 1 makes 4. In fact the figure is half of rape victims had the baby. That was in a situation where many were young with no access to travel. We can expect that to change now.
@DJ François: I seriously think the think r#pe is part of god’s plan to make use of fallen women. It’s one step away from forced marriage between r#pist and their victims. I’ll ask Eric … should you marry your abuser to give the child two (same sex) parents? Think of the “baby” before you answer.
@Renton Burke: “… should you marry your abuser to give the child two (same sex) parents?” So a man raрes another man (or a woman raрes a woman) and a child is produced? How does that work exactly?
@Earth Traveller: …and can someone please explain to me why the word ‘raрists’ is banned here? It is not like people are going to glorify men like that.
@Barry Somers: did you read the article “NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Catholic hospital in Colorado has argued in court documents that it is not liable for the deaths of two 7-month-old fetuses because those fetuses are not people.”
So now your saying a 7 month old Fetus is not a person?? Try telling that to the mother who lost her BABY!!
The doctors failed to perform a cesarian when a 7 month old Fetus can live. Typical leftist, changing terminology to suit your agenda. That hospital just didn’t want to be liable for damages. Do you honestly believe that any ethical person believes a 7 month old healthy Fetus is not a baby? Monster.
@Clarissa:
Don’t know why you’re getting so worked up about Tennessee, an unborn child at seven months gestation is a non person in the eyes of the law here since a Supreme Court decision last year in the run up to the referendum.
At least in Tennessee it’s still before the court, here in Ireland it’s already decided law, the unborn child has zero legal rights and zero legal protection.
Right wing ‘religous’ Fundamentalism is on the rise in the US. This whackery not only informs internal birth control laws but more worryingly US foreign policy. We all need to be afraid!
As far as I’m aware it’s the far left regressives cowards, Antifa, who regularly cause havoc and prevent normal people going about their lives. Get over yourself.
@Gerard Carthy: US support for Israel is not driven by religion, it is a strategic alliance designed to protect American interests. It is mutually beneficial to both countries economically, technologically and militarily.
As for Iran, the Iranian mullahs certainly frame the conflict with America as religious. However, the US has sided with it’s allies Saudi Arabia and Israel against Iran. Religion has very little to do with it.
As for the Army chief claiming God’s hand in electing Bush and Trump, that’s news to me, can you name those army chiefs? Even if true it’s hardly an indication of the religious right dictating US foreign policy. Just points to the possibility that some US army chiefs have some silly religious views.
Still, makes a change from blaming the Russians.
@Will: Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim and Iran is Shia. The main reason for conflict in the region. The US have sided with the Sunnis which is surprising when you look at the recent wars against ISIS.
The unquestioning US support for aparthide Israel is religous based as much as anything else. Evangelicals fear of Muslims obviously surpasses their fear of the Jews!!
Christianity at its very worst. Murdering mothers. Allowing their daughters, sisters, mother, wives to die. Another reason that proves how backward they think in the “south”. What a disturbing race of people the Americans are proving to be.
@2thFairy: All three abrahamic religions are anti-abortion in these religious texts, though not all their adherents are, of course. I don’t think ‘American’ is a race either.
@Dave O’Keeffe: In 2018 the state of Alabama voted to approve the ‘Alabama State Abortion Policy Amendment, Amendment 2′ which made it state policy to “recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life”.
It was carried by 59% to 41% (a significant majority).
So the people of Alabama did get to vote on abortion very recently and it would seem the state is predominantly pro-life, hence this very restrictive new abortion law.
This is the will of the people of that state and it should be respected.
@Candace: Sure. I won’t affect the wives, daughters or mistresses of the rich white guys who voted to pass it. Just the poor. I love the rights idea of freedom; Free from regulation, tax, accountability and responsibility to others. But hating freedom to move jobs, have health care, enjoy some economic independence or social mobility.
This is just another right wing nail in the coffin of social progress and equality in society wrapped up in fundamentalist anti scientific b*****ksology
@Dave O’Keeffe: I think they were. The population of Alabama is predominantly Christian and conservative so this law isn’t that surprising. However, even in Alabama demographics are changing and this law will be rolled back eventually I’d imagine.
@Will: you realise thst this isn’t about Alabama right? This is a race to the Supreme Court. There are states making laws they know will be appealed to higher courts and eventually be brought to the Supreme Court where a decision will be made for the entire country.
@Dave O’Keeffe: I understand that, this law is specifically designed to challenge Roe v Wade but this is not the first piece of state legislation purported to do just that and I doubt it will have the desired effect.
This law will have multiple court challenges against it as soon as the governor signs the bill.
What has skin colour got to do with it, you some sort of SJW, anti white racist? As much as you value abortion on, there are other that value life, deal with it.
@themansam: it’s not in anyway shape or form. Did you read the article? It wasn’t a vote by the people. It’s decided by the Senate and the supreme courts. All 27 of whom are men and whose judges in the courts are Republican nut jobs appointed by Trump
@John Paul: who sits in the senate John? How do they get there?
It’s a democratic vote John, I don’t like how they voted but the senate was elected by the people of that state to represent them.
Democracy works even if you/ I don’t like the outcome.
Whatever happens in the Supreme Court I don’t know, but what they will vote on is obviously what the senate sends to them.
You may have a point if it’s just the Supreme Court making up laws, but you it’s not
I thought one of the basic tenets of American Republicanism was minimal interference by the Government in peoples’ lives? And yet here they are snooping in bedrooms.
And I thought the hand maiden was just a TV series,welcome to the 21st century trump style USA,the world is turning slowly for the worst.poland,Austria,Estonia,USA,UK,Italy,Brazil Philippines,Hungary,all countries that have voted or are likely to vote in far right parties,when nationalism raises its ugly head war is not far behind and that usually means working class people suffer,we need to wake up and stand together,the EU is by no means perfect but it is better to try to improve from the inside,climate change,animal welfare and a living wage are the battles ahead so I suggest we start now,think when voting in the EU elections,people are the priority not companies and if both are served by policy that’s great but if not people should come first,vote left.
@derek hennessy: So which parties puts people before companies? Trump did help by getting rid of the TTIP which would have given corporations legal rights over sovereign European governments, thereby saving all of us a lot of grief, but he isn’t running in the European elections. Any ideas?
Have to 100% agree that ttip was a bad idea and is the one thing I give trump credit for even if it was for the wrong reason,I am not a member of any party,but my view is protectismn is a dangerous game to play as it works both ways and ultimately hits consumers,I have always believed in both public and private investment in the economy so I suppose you could call me a social Democrat,my worries concern the future and whether we are going to stand by and let hundreds of thousands of jobs disappear by automation,so once again I ask you do we future proof our future as human beings regardless of race or religion or not,to me the only answer is that society is more important than figures on a balance sheet,maybe I am wrong but I hope I am not.
I hope someday pro-lifers will realise that just because they live somewhere where abortions are legal it doesn’t mean they have to it will be forced to get one. Can’t they just let people decide what they want to do with their own lives. You may disagree with it but you can’t tell them not to just like I can’t go up to some young one and tell them ease off the fake tan love you look like an oompah Loompa even just because I’d like to
@Jake Kelly: I hope someday pro-abolitionists will realise that just because slavery is legal doesn’t mean they will be forced to own a slave. Can’t they just let people decide for themselves? You may disagree with it but you can’t tell other people how to live their lives. – the exact same argument in a different situation
@sVRCsaSg: wow talk about not understanding what I said. I’m not saying people who are against abortion shouldn’t be allowed to be against it I’m saying they should respect the rights of others and what does slavery have to do with this that’s an entirely different situation and to compare the two is a bit distasteful
@Jake Kelly: it’s the same argument. Should we legalise slavery and let people choose if they want to own a slave? I say no because it takes away fundamental human rights. Should we allow people to choose whether or not to have an abortion? I say no because it takes away fundamental human rights.
In ‘Pro-Life’ Alabama you can buy guns to shoot up a school, you can execute people in prison, you can wave little American flags as the army bombs civilians half-way aroubd ths world, but if you’re a woman, well, you’re going to jail if you get raped and need medical intervention.
@MaeVic: which is weird. Why isn’t the mother an accomplice? Is it just that it would be far more unpopular to make it a crime to have an abortion than just to perform one?
@Candace: ….well i don’t know but if they committed a crime i hope they’re close to trial.
I really dont understand why anything apart from shooter is relevant???
As an adopted person I probably should not agree with abortion and as a catholic it’s probably even harder but do you know what my views are that it is a woman’s choice,it is not my life,ideally the child will live but it is not my decision.my thoughts are with the lady who has to make the decision,you are loved and respected no matter what you decide
X
What do they mean by post-birth abortion? Once a child is born, it’s out of the womb. You can’t abort a child from the womb when it’s not in it. What are the ‘late-term abortions’ about? Are they talking about FFA pregnancies? ”Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth,“With liberal states approving radical late-term and post-birth abortions, Roe must be challenged, and I am proud that Alabama is leading the way,” he added”.
@Thomas Newell: For someone who claims to be tolerant and open minded you just casually toss out racist old tropes about southerners having sex with their sisters and animals.
@Mick McGuinness: They are Americas ISIS. Both ISIS and US anti-abortion religious extremists are killing people who don’t adhere to their religious dogmatic views. The religious fundamentalist extremists are attacking women who use health. If you go against there religious views they are handing out death sentences(99 Years) for simple health care. There’s a great documentary ‘Reversing Roe’ that shows how they ignore science and the medical profession. They use dullard stooges who say that they have no scientific qualifications when questioned, but they say they are correct even though they are illogical and the juxtaposition of what the medical profession says. They are openly lying using idiotic falsehoods and presenting them as facts. These religious people also terrorise people literally, by blowing them up and shooting them.
In Texas they want to execute people the abortion. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/11/death-sentence-abortion-hypocrisy-pro-life https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence
Such a stretch by that Democratic senator. This law is saying the unborn is a life and deserves its rights. Senator – so you’re saying it’s OK to rape women and they don’t matter?
@sVRCsaSg:
Rape is the most serious crime next to murder and has long term devastating consequences for a woman. It is up to the woman herself to make her own decision if she becomes pregnant as a result of the rape. It is not up to anyone else to make a judgement.
@Aine O Connor: my point is that it’s a jump to say because you don’t agree with allowing this option that you’re fine with the crime and don’t care about the person it was committed to.
@Kazoochka: Only the ones that can afford it.
And if they can take time off work to travel.
And get childcare for their other children (majority of women getting abortions already have children)
This will become a two-tier system with those able to afford it the ones that can access safe abortions.
Just like what was happening in Ireland.
@MaeVic: Forced birth? Followed by a shotgun wedding? I think you’re missing the point here. When plenty of Irish mothers wanted to keep their child, the child was sold off to an adoption agency instead. To this day, people aren’t allowed to know who their birth parents were. None of this is right.
Why can’t they leave the choice and free will to the woman and her doctor for a change?
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