Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words

Violence and abuse directed at women in politics is not just a personal issue, it is a challenge for our democracy.
Senator Alison Comyn and Women for Election have published new research revealing the extent of gender based violence experienced by women politicians in Ireland, with 96% of female Oireachtas members who responded reporting online abuse and almost nine in ten experiencing psychological violence. The findings highlight the impact this abuse is having on women's participation in public life and the wider health of Irish democracy.
In this episode of In Our Own Words: Fianna Fáil, Senator Alison Comyn, Chair of the Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus, is joined by Aldagh McDonogh, Chair of Women for Election, and Darcy Lonergan, Development and Support Manager with Women for Election, to discuss the research, its findings and the actions needed to make politics safer and more inclusive for women.
Together they look at the experiences of women in public life, the effect abuse has on political participation and campaigning, and why tackling violence against women in politics is essential to protecting and strengthening Ireland's democracy.

In secondary school, students are taught everything from algebra to poetry to straithpictúirí.
Students aren’t taught how to apply for a mortgage, or how to ensure they’re maximising their pension, and ultimately, understanding how to can make the best possible lives for themselves.
Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West, Albert Dolan, is calling for financial literacy to be introduced in schools.
In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, Deputy Dolan sits down with Cian Carolan, Managing Director of DNG Financial Services to talk money.  
Their message is simple: no student should leave school without having a basic level of financial literacy.

In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, Minister of State at the Department of Sport, Charlie McConalogue TD is joined by Deputy Erin McGreehan, Deputy Peter "Chap" Cleere and Chris Kiernan of Glasnevin Football Club to discuss the vital role sport plays in strengthening communities across Ireland.
They explain the upcoming Community Sports Facilities Fund, which opens for applications soon, outlining who can apply, how the new online application system will simplify the process, and why clubs should start preparing now.
They also explore the growing demand for sports facilities, the importance of investing in grassroots clubs, increasing participation and inclusion, and how shared use of school facilities can maximise the benefits of public investment.
Whether you're involved in a local sports club, volunteer in your community, or simply want to learn more about the funding available, this episode is your guide to the opportunities ahead.

In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, Deputy John Connolly sits down with Clodagh, Jacqui, and John from Tusla's Fostering Service to discuss what it means to be a foster carer. 
The three were in Leinster House speaking to representatives for National Fostering Awareness Month in June and to encourage people to consider becoming a foster carer. 
Jacqui Smith is the National Fostering Lead for Tusla. Jacqui spoke about the image people may have of children in care but said that those children grow up to be our partners, friends, and colleagues. 
Clodagh Downes was in relative foster care as a child and since then she has been on a journey through education in social care, working in disability services and now working with Tusla. Clodagh said the most important thing to a child in care is being told that the situation at hand is not your fault. 
John Moriarty was a foster carer for over 20 years years and working as a Foster Peer Support with Tusla. John spoke about the joy in seeing a child in care hit milestones such as attending their first swimming lessons or receiving a good grade in an exam. 
Their message is simple: Ireland is recognised as a global leader in foster care; however, the need for new foster carers remains urgent.

As Ireland takes on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, what are the priorities that will shape the next six months?
In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD joins Senator Alison Comyn to discuss Ireland's vision for its EU Presidency. They explore the key issues on the agenda, including strengthening Europe's competitiveness, supporting Ukraine, enhancing security and defence cooperation, tackling migration, driving climate action, and ensuring the EU delivers for citizens across Ireland and Europe.
Tune in for an insight into Ireland's leadership role at a pivotal moment for the European Union and what the Presidency means for communities, businesses, and Ireland's place on the European stage.

Fianna Fáil – In Our Own Words
In this episode Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien TD, Deputy Paul McAuliffe and Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee discuss MetroLink,  the transformative public transport project set to connect Swords, Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre.
🚇 MetroLink will be Ireland's first fully segregated metro system, improving connectivity, supporting the delivery of thousands of new homes, boosting economic competitiveness and creating lasting benefits for generations to come.
It will be capable of carrying up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
Metrolink is now moving forward decisively into procurement stage.
The panel discusses the latest progress on the project, including major procurement milestones and the steps being taken to ensure MetroLink is delivered for the people of Dublin and Ireland.
🎧 Listen now to Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words.

In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words Senator Teresa Costello sits down with Úna Ennis from Tallaght, whose 8 year-old son was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) to discuss their hard fought campaign for access to Givinostat.
Senator Teresa Costello has said working with families impacted by a rare muscular disease has given her an insight into “real pain and suffering”.
The Fianna Fáil Senator has been campaigning with families of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) to access the drug Givinostat, which slows the progression of the disease that gradually causes weakness and loss of muscle function.
They are welcoming the recent decision by the HSE drugs group to recommend the approval of the drug for reimbursement and they want to keep the pressure on so that this happens soon.
Úna has said said this has has changed the trajectory for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and urged the HSE to make the life-changing drug available as soon as possible.
In this episode we hear about the fight for Givinostat, the stark reality of living with DMD and the hope that access to Givinostat will bring.
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, advocacy and the determination of families who refused to give up.
 Their message is simple: the treatment exists, and now it must be made available as quickly as possible to the children who need it.
🎧 Listen now to hear the story of Archie and his family and Senator Costello's determination to drive change for families living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

On Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words this week Minister Niamh Smyth, TD for Cavan-Monaghan is shining a spotlight on sepsis awareness.
Minister Smyth is joined by sepsis survivor Sophie Lanigan, her father Keith, and Cathriona Flanagan and Hannah Tormey from North East Sepsis Awareness, Minister Smyth hears first-hand accounts of the devastating impact sepsis can have on individuals and families.
The discussion explores the realities of surviving sepsis, the challenges of recovery, the need for greater public awareness, and the campaign for formal recognition of post-sepsis syndrome and structured follow-up care in Ireland.
From Sophie's experience of losing her limbs to Hannah's account of her daughter's battle with sepsis during her Leaving Cert year, this episode highlights the importance of early detection, survivor support, and ensuring that no one faces recovery alone.
A moving conversation about resilience, advocacy, and the urgent need for change.
🎧 Listen now on Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words.

To mark Traveller Pride Week, John Connolly TD and Senator Anne Rabbitte host a special episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, drawing on their work as members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community.
Joined by Star Stokes of the Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement and John Collins of Exchange House Ireland and the National Traveller Men's Movement, they discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Traveller communities across Ireland, including health inequalities, mental health, education, discrimination and representation.
Through honest conversations and lived experiences, Connolly and Rabbitte explore how policymakers can better listen to and work alongside Traveller communities to deliver meaningful change and improve outcomes for future generations.

41-year-old mother of three, Valerie French, was brutally murdered by her husband, James Kilroy, at their family home in Westport, Co. Mayo, in 2019. Kilroy was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024.
Since Valerie’s murder, her brother David French has campaigned tirelessly for changes to guardianship legislation in horrific cases such as this, to ensure those who kill their partner cannot automatically retain guardianship rights over their children.
In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, David discusses the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill and the importance of ensuring the welfare and best interests of children remain paramount.
He speaks to Senator Dee Ryan and Seanad Justice spokesperson Robbie Gallagher about Valerie, her life, the relationship, her murder and why he advocated for this change in the law.
The Bill, which has been introduced to the Dáil, would allow for the removal of guardianship rights from a person convicted of killing their partner or the other parent of their child.
Speaking in the Dáil, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said:
“When you have a human story behind a piece of legislation, or when somebody is prepared to advocate from a very personal point of view, it can have a very significant impact on the Houses of the Oireachtas.”
The legislation fulfils the Programme for Government commitment to examine proposals to remove guardianship rights from those convicted of killing their partner or a parent of their child, as part of ongoing work to implement recommendations from the Study on Familicide and Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews.