Europe

Accountability Equality for IrelandActive NeutralityIrish FisheriesDebt Relief

Education

Graduate EqualityGlass CeilingAcademic FreedomHarassment and BullyingMental Health

Gender

Sexual ViolenceDomestic AbuseReproductive RightsEqual OpportunitiesAffordable Childcare

Issues

About Me I am a Lecturer in International Relations at Dublin City University. I hold a BA in Politics & Spanish (University College Dublin), an MA in European Integration (University of Limerick), a Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics and a PhD in Political Science (Trinity College, Dublin). I am a Chevening Scholar (UK), a Government of Ireland Scholar (IRL) and a Fulbright Scholar (USA). I have worked in universities in the UK and Ireland for the past seventeen years and for several years in the research industry in London and in the banking sector in Dublin. Why vote for me? As a renowned expert in Irish public opinion on public policy with a passion for equality and justice, I am ideally suited to act as a check on Government and provide independent scrutiny of legislation in Seanad Éireann. I have also

worked in grass roots organisations to protect people's rights (ICTE) made submissions to a number of Commissions on political reform presented to Oireachtas Committees on EU Affairs and on Petitions advised governments, parties, and NGOs on EU and Irish public policy

Why support my campaign on the issues of equality within gender, education

and the European Union? In the context of the 1916 Rising commemorations and the critical mass of new TDs elected to Dail Éireann, I see an opportunity to introduce new legislation to combat long-standing issues of sexual and domestic violence, discrimination in education in Ireland, and Ireland's inequality in the European Union. Sexual Assault: International research shows that 80% of rape victims are under the age of twenty-five. 1 in 4 females experience unwanted sexual experiences at college. Action: In line with recent developments in other states, I will propose (1) legislation modelled on a new Sexual Offences Act to improve the definition of the offences, prosecution procedures, evidence and sentencing and (2) awareness and education programmes to help change attitudes towards sexual violence in Ireland. Domestic Violence affects 1 in 4 women in Europe, with up to 1 in 10 women suffering violence in a given year. A 2014 survey found that 1 in 3 Irish women have experienced intimate partner violence. The cost to the economy is 2 percent of GDP. Action: I will propose (1) legislation modelled on the 2009 Istanbul Convention on domestic and sexual violence and (2) a HEA programme in line with the 2002 Council of Europe resolution to take action on the problem of domestic violence.

Discrimination in Education: Women represent 4 out of 10 academics in Ireland, but 72% of women are ranked as "lecturer" in 2013 (vs. 82% in the 1970s). Ireland has second highest glass ceiling index in the EU for women in higher education. Action: I will propose (1) proactive legislation modelled on the United States of America's "Title IX" provisions to combat discrimination and (2) monitoring, reporting and sanctions programmes for offending institutions. Inequality at the European Union level: Successive Irish Governments have failed to secure (1) a fair deal on Irish Fisheries’ €200 billion contribution to the EU, (2) protect Ireland's active neutrality and (3) prevent the EU-led sovereign 'bail-out'. Action: I will campaign to (1) introduce a new EU protocol to restore Ireland's neutrality, (2) implement the EU "subsidiarity" powers of Seanad Éireann and 3)create an EU Citizens’ Initiative for a fair fiscal resolution of the bank debt crisis.

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