What I've been saying

And that is why we owe so much to those whose art is exhibited here today. They have not just expressed themselves personally and artistically, and opened themselves up - those of us who come and see are opened up too. Heart speaks to heart. I mentioned earlier that art is a good-in-itself and requires no further justification – but that is not to say that it serves no purpose. The philosophy behind ‘Art against Stigma’ sees in human creativity the ability to express the sometimes inexpressible, and to help bring healing and hope to wounds and frustration. ‘Art against Stigma’ recognizes the potential inherent in all human beings regardless of the obstacles we sometimes have to face.

Senator Rónán Mullen has expressed dissatisfaction at this evening’s statement from the Seanad Committee on Member’s Interests, which while dismissing a complaint brought by the ‘People before Profit’ organisation against him, fails to acknowledge the possible damage caused to his reputation by the Committee’s own handling of the complaint.

Senator Rónán Mullen has written to the Chairman of the Seanad Select Committee on Members’ Interests, Senator Pat Moylan, to express his “extreme concern” about the unspecific nature of the statement released by the Select Committee last evening, and at the media coverage that this has generated.

I welcome the fact that, in the context of political extremism, this report draws a distinction between religion on the one hand and the manipulation of religious beliefs for political reasons on the other. Indeed, there are many praiseworthy aspects to the report. It astutely pinpoints the dual wrongs of both Islamism, as a terrorist and anti-democratic force, and Islamophobia, as a form of secular and religious bigotry.

Yesterday the Labour Party brought forward an excellent Bill in this Chamber to criminalise female genital mutilation. It deserves great credit for bringing forward this issue because it is about a terrible violation of human dignity that all should condemn.

I will make four brief points. First, the Minister mentioned the cardiovascular implementation plan, which is to be welcomed, but funding is the issue. She rightly pointed out that there were 12 stroke units, but some, including the Irish Heart Foundation, would say not all of these measures are up to international standards. Some 20% of people could benefit from thrombolysis, yet only 2% get it. The good news is that money up front in stroke prevention can prevent the outlay on nursing home care or hospital stays down the line. The emergence of a business plan that would allow the investment needed to improve the service should be possible.