Japan
I was proud to represent the Oireachtas Committee for Enterprise, Tourism and employment on our recent delegation to Japan. For almost 70 years Ireland has enjoyed strong diplomatic relations with Japan. Ireland opened it’s first embassy in Tokyo in 1974 In 2025 Ireland renewed and strengthened its presence in Japan with the opening of Ireland […]
Protection of Retail Workers Bill
In April 2025 Mary introduced the Protection of Retail Workers Act 2025, a Bill aimed at amending the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to create specific offences for assaulting, threatening, harassing, or abusing retail workers while they are carrying out their employment. Retail workers across Ireland are on the front line serving us all […]
Spokesperson on Dublin, Local Government & Heritage
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has appointed Mary Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin, Dublin City Taskforce, Local Government & Heritage. Mary looks forward to championing our great capital, working with Local Authority Members and other stakeholders to strengthen Local Government and securing government support to protect, enhance and promote our rich cultural heritage
Whitehall Special School
A new permanent school building for An Cosán Community Special School is to be included in the state’s largest ever multi-school campus at Whitehall. The Special School is currently operating from an interim location at Grangegorman but will be given a new home on the multi-school campus beside Clonturk Community College, Ellenfield Community College and Gaelscoil Áine at Whitehall. This will give all children, whatever their […]
Affordable Housing
In the Seanad Mary led support for a further €1.25bn in funding for the Land Development Agency to enable it accelerate the delivery of thousands of new affordable homes across Ireland. The Agency now has a pipeline of over 18,000 homes, and this level of investment means they can expand affordable home delivery at scale. […]
O’Devaney Gardens
Great progress is being made at O’Devaney Gardens where 1,000 new social and affordable homes are under construction. Phase 2 is well and truly out of the ground with more than 300 workers on-site, many of them local employees. The new O’Devaney will provide much needed homes, creche, shops and community facilities when complete. Check […]
Budget 2025 October Payments
The October bonus cost of living payments will be paid to carers, pensioners and jobseekers this week. If you are getting a primary weekly payment, you will get a 100% increase in your weekly rate of payment. If you are getting a primary weekly payment, you will get a 100% increase in your weekly rate of […]
Gaza
Mary condemns Israel’s approval of a law to ban UNRWA. UNRWA provides essential support and relief for Palestinians. A ban on its work would have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees. Earlier this year, Ireland committed a additional €20million to UNRWA. Ireland will continue to work with donor and host countries to ensure the viability of […]
Drugs Use Interim Report
Tánaiste Micheal Mártin nominated Mary to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use. The committee recently launched the Interim Report outlining 59 recommendations for addressing substance misuse in our communities. ThE report emphasises the need for a comprehensive, health-led approach to addiction, one that prioritises treatment and support. You can read the full report HERE.
Dublin Bus Security
Mary has long championed safety on our public transport system. In reponse to Mary’s surveys on crime and anti social behaviour, Dublin Bus have introduced a pilot programme of security personnel on their fleet. The pilot program will see the introduction of two dedicated mobile security units, one deployed on the northside of Dublin and […]