Joe O'Brien

I'm no longer using this platform. I'm at joeobrien2.bsky.social

Strongly welcome this move. Horrific actions are still ongoing in Gaza. Further pressure to suspend EU Israel Association Agreement is needed now @SadakaIreland @trocaire @AmnestyEU

I've reformed and grown a number government schemes and programmes over the last four years. Yesterday morning at Oireachtas Committee I outlined the positive changes I have brought to the Rural Social Scheme

Confirmation here of the northern commuter train timetable changes I flagged last night: irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/time… #balbriggan #skerries #lusk #rush #donabate ⁦@SkerriesNews⁩ ⁦@Balbrigganinfo⁩ ⁦@RushTourism⁩ ⁦@RushCouncil⁩ ⁦@luskcommunity⁩

Food poverty is an issue I have prioritised during my term in Government. It has become increasingly clear that Hot School Meals Programme is hugely successful but holiday hunger is a problem. I am delighted today to announce funding for pilot projects to work on holiday hunger.

At yesterday’s 11th Steering Group Mtg on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion (which I Chair) I chose to focus agenda on the disability related commitments in the Roadmap. We had good engagement from relevant Gov Depts & NGOs on issues & highlighted the need for ongoing progress.

I recently requested a meeting with @theILDN members engaged in initiatives around alleviating food poverty. I was pleased to meet the group yesterday to share learnings & ideas which will help to further inform work of the Working Group on Food Poverty I established in 2022.

#LocalDevelopmentWeek is another opportunity to acknowledge the vital work undertaken by Local Development Companies (LDCs) in communities across the country every day. I spent this morning with the @theILDN launching their Annual Report as part of a week of highlighting LDCs.

I was glad to have the opportunity today to address this important @ICTU conference to launch the Anti-Racism Toolkit. The very bedrock of the Union movement is solidarity & I am very proud to see the Union movement in Ireland to the fore in challenging racism.

Today @ChildRightsIRL #EndChildPoverty event I outlined how I’ll be advocating for increases in particular payments in #Budget25 proven to help decrease poverty rates in households. It behoves us all as politicans to continue to push to eliminate child poverty & I certainly will.

I welcome Taoiseach's decision to ask the AGs advice again in light of a number of significant developments inc ICJ finding, continued disregard for international law, horrific & escalating humanitarian situation & importantly the lack of EU action to review association agreement

In SW Mayo to publish review of Rural Social Scheme. RSS supports small farmers & fishers to work with community groups. Since 2004 RSS delivers key services in rural communities & provides valuable opportunities to participants. The aim of this review is to refresh & renew RSS

I was glad to bring this legislation through the Dáil & Seanad which will facilitate online registration of births & deaths for the first time and the establishment of an optional Record of Stillbirths @feileacain1

I am delighted @PresidentIRL has just signed the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024. Enacting this vital legislation has been a priority for me as Minister. This couldn’t have happened without extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure it is fit for purpose.

I've strengthened the voice of anti-racism in Ireland by establishing a new position of Special Rapporteur on Racism today & appointing @EbunJoseph1 to the role, along with members of a new advisory committee. I also opened the Ireland Against Racism Fund for applications

In Feb 2023 I established the Rural Social Scheme Review Group to examine this vitally important scheme. Yesterday the group presented me with their report which I look forward to publishing imminently. Thanks to Kathleen Stack for Chairing the group.

I’ve worked with Rod on @Fingalcoco, as a fellow member of the Parliamentary Party & a Minister facing and responding to huge challenges. The hardest working & most driven person I know & has been steeped in @greenparty_ie at every level for decades. Our best candidate for leader

A huge loss to Irish politics @EamonRyan got things done, and did so with respect for those of other views. He has been the single most influential person in progressing climate action over the last 13 years. Happy for him that he will get more time with family. Thank you Eamon!

Ireland via my @greenparty_ie colleagues like @EamonRyan @noonan_malcolm played a huge role in getting this law across the line 🌳👏🏽

Great to see widespread solidarity for @rhasidatadeleke in the face of racism. We all have the opportunity to show such solidarity in our daily lives. Great advice here from @INARIreland that can make such a practical difference inar.ie/witnessing-racism-wh…