You think what's being done to land-based ecosystems is bad? Take a look at what's happening under the sea. It's as if all birds and other wild animals were being hoovered out of forests for our mass consumption, shredding the trees and everything else in the process. Out of sight, out of mind.

1/2) A memorable day in Kilmallock for the National Famine Commemoration, where the keynote speech was delivered by Pres. Michael D. Higgins. The Great Famine was our most devastating collective trauma in recent history. One of my grandfathers was born just 30 years after its end.

A recent Dept of Education review of 15 primary and 15 secondary schools identified policies that restricted access to children with additional needs. This is a concerning finding but it must be examined within the context of an under-resourcing of schools. www.socialdemocrats.ie/lack-of-reso...

Inspiring to connect with a large group of Social Democrats Cllrs in Leinster House yesterday. The work these colleagues are doing in their communitues, and the variety of talent & experience they bring to that form an integral part of our development together.

Uplifting to join students of Midleton College today who led a walk between Midleton & Mogeely as part of a campaign on gender apartheid, with a particular focus on the oppression of women in authoritarian regimes. Great to see such a dynamic spirit of activism among this group of students.

It's vital that Marjorie Farrelly and Minister Foley appear before the Disability Matters Committee to answer questions on why legal submissions filed by Grace’s legal team were not referenced in the final Commission report. www.socialdemocrats.ie/author-of-gr...

Every small act of solidarity with the Palestinian people adds up, however powerless we may be to end their suffering. A stalwart group of activists meets every Sunday in Midleton outside the courthouse. It was good to reconnect with them today.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stated this week that seventy percent of burn victims treated in Gaza are children, warning that the devastation of Gaza’s healthcare system after 19 months of Israeli attacks has turned burn injuries into prolonged sentences of suffering. Via qudsnen.co (Telegram)

Darya Kozyreva, 19, has been sentenced to nearly three years in a Russian penal colony—for quoting a poem and remembering the suffering of Mariupol. Her “crime”? Using words to oppose Putin’s war.

3000 aid trucks from UNRWA alone blocked from entering occupied Palestine's Gaza by #Israel'd regime. UNRWA has run out of food in Gaza, WFP has run out of food. But according to @consilium.europa.eu, @ec.europa.eu & @europarl.europa.eu, EU can do nothing but "stand in solidarity with Israel".

Great to meet residents in Midleton this morning. I really enjoyed canvassing this part of the town in the run up to the election & it was lovely to encounter some of the same people again. Not a lot of concerns raised today but I residents know where we are for support in the months & years ahead.