Latest news with #BarryWard
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Dáil hears heartfelt contributions over Gaza war
It was an afternoon of fiery and heartfelt contributions in the Dáil. This is a place united in its abhorrence of the killing and starving of people in Gaza. "What did we do to try to stop it? " Fine Gael's Barry Ward asked. The Dún Laoghaire TD believes this is the fundamental question that will be posed in the years ahead about what he described as a stain on the history of the world. Notwithstanding the sense of collective outrage, Opposition parties feel the Government has not done enough. Indeed, Independent TD Catherine Connolly described the Government backbenchers' words as wonderful but far too late. However, there are several political actions now in train, the progress of which could yet provide an answer to Barry Ward's question. Next week the Tánaiste will bring a memo to Cabinet on the Occupied Territories Bill. It has been languishing in the backwaters of the Oireachtas scheduling programme since 2018 despite the tireless advocacy of its author Senator Frances Black. The most recent delays were necessary to ensure it was redrafted in order to withstand legal challenges, the Government insists. Others have stated publicly that this is just a stalling tactic. The legislation will ban imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The test now for Government is just how swiftly it passes the Bill and if it will prohibit both goods and services. The EU's cooperation deal with Israel is a more far-reaching document and its suspension could have an immediate impact. Ireland and Spain sought its review over a year ago, belatedly that is now happening. Labour TD Duncan Smith said it feels like "a day late and a dollar short". But the Government wants the agreement suspended pending the outcome of the review. Can it now form a coalition with other EU States to make sure this happens? Another piece of domestic legislation related to Gaza is the Israel War Bonds Bill which Sinn Féin has submitted to the Bills office. The party said this will give the finance minister the power to stop the Irish Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds across the EU. Ireland is currently the so-called "home country" for Israeli war bonds allowing them to be sold across the EU. Ireland became the "home country" in 2021 after Brexit and Britain lost the ability to passport financial services into the EU. Next week in the Dáil, there will also be a Labour motion which will mandate the Government to press the case of Gaza at UN level. Will this motion be accepted or opposed by the Government? While the Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney has urged Government to inspect aircraft to clamp down on the use of Irish airspace to transport bombs and weapons to Israel. She also called for action on the sale of dual use goods to Israel. The Government's response to these many calls from the opposition could well determine whether it did enough to, in the words of Barry Ward, "try to stop it".
Irish Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
International Protection applicants given €60m in daily allowances
Some €60.2 million was spent providing 'daily allowances' to 20,749 people in International Protection Accommodation Services in 2024. This was up from €34.4m given to 19,612 people the previous year, despite the introduction of means testing in June, 2024. The figures were released to Fine Gael TD Barry Ward following a parliamentary question to Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary. International Protection Applicants can get a weekly allowance of €38.80 for adults and €29.80 per child. If the Government is unable to provide international protection applicants with accommodation, this increases to €113.80 per week. Since June 2024, the Department of Social Protection has means-tested the allowance for those over 18 and 'getting an income for 12 weeks or more'. Those earning more than €125 a week do not receive the payment, while those earning between €61 and €124 receive a reduced rate. Mr Calleary explained: 'Since June 2024, an income assessment is in effect for Daily Expenses Allowance recipients over 18, where the recipient has income for a total of 12 weeks or more. 'For couples or families, the Daily Expenses Allowance payment for the person who has income may be reduced or withdrawn. 'This will not affect any payments other family members are getting, including children.' In response to Deputy Ward, Minister Calleary confirmed that provisional figures show that €60.2m was paid to 20,749 in receipt of the allowance in 2024. Mr Calleary said at the end of last year, 12,900 received the payment, 14,200 adults and 6,600 kids. Despite the introduction of means testing, the average allowance was €2,901, up from €1,754. Mr Calleary said: 'It should be noted that 2024 expenditure includes the higher rate of payment to support applicants who were unaccommodated and on a waiting list for International Protection Accommodation Services, which was introduced in December 2023. The 2024 figure also includes expenditure of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection [Ukrainian Refugees] residing in State accommodation, €9.8m.'
Extra.ie
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
TDs push back on plans touted by Helen McEntee to create more multi-denominational schools
Government TDs have pushed back on plans touted by Helen McEntee to create more multi-denominational schools. Multiple backbenchers across Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are wary of 'overreach' and have questioned the need for what the Education Minister said will be 'greater choice' for parents. One Fine Gael ministerial source said they were 'surprised' to see Ms McEntee bring forward the measure after facing sharp criticism for prioritising 'woke' policies, such as the failed hate speech legislation, as justice minister. Pic: Shutterstock 'I have no doubt she feels [school patronage] is an important issue, but maybe she is still leaning into that skid,' one minister said. Almost 90% of primary schools in Ireland have a Catholic ethos. However, data from the Department of Education shows that the number of pupils being enrolled in Catholic schools is in decline since 2018, while 'enrolments in multi-denominational schools continue to rise steadily'. Further research has found that the majority of teachers are in favour of separating the Church and schools. A survey of members of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) found that just 4% of teachers think preparing students for sacraments should be the responsibility of primary schools, while the majority (46%) were also against teaching religion. Responding to the survey last week, the Education Minister announced that she would bring forward plans to create more multi-denominational schools. Helen McEntee. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/ 'I think parents should have a choice as to where they send their child [to school], and whether their child will have their Communion, their Confirmation, or anything beyond that. And my objective as Education Minister is to make sure that parents have a choice,' Ms McEntee said. According to a spokesperson for the Department of Education, there are 2,720 mainstream Catholic schools as of the 2024/2025 school year, and 172 primary schools with a multidenominational ethos. The spokeswoman said: 'Minister McEntee has confirmed that she will set out a plan to ensure greater choice for parents regarding multi-denominational education in the coming weeks.' But the pending proposals have already raised eyebrows within the Coalition. Ms McEntee's Fine Gael party colleague, Barry Ward, has said that he believes any further plans to divest schools of religious patronage would be 'bizarre'. The Dún Laoghaire TD said that, under current State policy, the majority of new schools coming on stream are multi-denominational and fall under the umbrellas of Educate Together or the Education and Training Boards. Barry Ward. Pic: Facebook/Senator Barry Ward He remarked: 'I have no doubt that plenty of people are unhappy with the level of choice in terms of schooling options – especially in sparsely populated areas… But if there is one school in a town and it is a Catholic school, it is probably because the majority of parents in the town are in favour of that. I think it would be bizarre to roll out a central diktat on a matter that should not be decided by the State or by teaching unions, but by parents and school boards.' Mr Ward said that he is 'not aware of any school which is being blocked from divesting from a religious ethos', adding that he does not 'think the demand is there' to divest further schools. This sentiment was echoed by Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, who was last week appointed chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Education. Mr Crowe pointed to a pilot programme launched in 2022 to explore divesting religion from schools in areas of cities that had no multi-denominational primary schools. Four schools across eight pilot areas chose to divest their Catholic patronage and become multi-denominational. Cathal Crowe. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Mr Crowe, who was a teacher for 14 years, said his former school was polled as part of the pilot, but parents voted 'overwhelmingly' against divestment. 'We have seen that when asked, very few schools actually want to shed their Catholic patronage,' he said. Mr Crowe acknowledged that the number of people classifying themselves as Catholic dropped to 69% in Census 2022. 'But anecdotal evidence would suggest parents are happy with their children attending schools of Catholic patronage… I just can't imagine any new proposals changing that. I think the status quo will prevail,' he added. The Clare TD said that parishes 'do not have the resources' to take on the responsibility of providing sacraments and that he would be in favour of Communions and Confirmations being facilitated by schools. Pic: Maskot/Getty In 2020, the previous coalition committed to 'achieve the target of at least 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030'. However, there were only 169 multi-faith schools as of the end of last year. The new Programme for Government commits to 'increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education'. Marian Harkin, the Regional Independent Minister of State in the Department of Higher Education and a former teacher, said she is not aware of any 'groundswell' to remove religious patronage. 'This isn't an issue that has been raised with me. That is not to say parents or teachers who want more multi-denominational schools, but I wouldn't say there has been a groundswell in people talking about it,' she said. Ms Harkin said that funding was the main issue facing primary schools, and that it should be addressed as a matter of priority. Pádraig O'Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork, said that he believes the 'system as it stands provides plenty of choice'. He added: 'Any new plans must remain parent-led. We shouldn't overreach on this.' One senior Government official said that it was their understanding that reducing the size of classrooms was the 'top priority' in the Department of Education. It is understood that the new plans will be debated at the Fine Gael parliamentary party later this week.
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
FG's Ward appointed chair of influential EU Affairs committee
Fine Gael deputy for Dún Laoghaire Barry Ward is to become chair of the influential Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs. Two weeks ago, the 28 Oireachtas committees were belatedly allocated to political parties and groups, after the process was stalled for over four months over disagreements triggered by the Dáil speaking row. The Oireachtas committees, which are essential to both the formulation and the passing of legislation, are taking shape, but it could be weeks before they are fully up and running. Sinn Féin will chair the Finance, Justice Home Affairs and Migration, Public Accounts, Defence and National Security, Disability Matters, Petitions, and Fisheries committees. Labour will get to appoint the chairperson of the Traveller Community committee as well as the Oireachtas Committee on Media and Arts. The Social Democrats, who became eligible for a second chairing role after declaring that its suspended deputy Eoin Hayes remained a party TD, will chair the Health and the Drug Use committees. He was indefinitely suspended by the party in December after contradictory statements about when he had sold shares in a company that supplies artificial intelligence tools to the Israeli military. Social Democrats Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon will chair the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use, while his party colleague, Cork South Central TD Pádraig Rice, will chair the Oireachtas Committee on Health. The Independent Technical Group will chair the Committee on Budgetary Oversight while the Independents and Smaller Parties group will chair the Irish Language Committee. The remaining 15 roles will go to Government TDs. The Regional Independent TDs are not seeking a committee chairperson position.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Massachusetts man arrested for child pornography, US Attorney says
A Paxton man has been arrested for child pornography, the U.S. Attorney said Thursday. Barry Ward, 32, has been charged with reproduction of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. Ward was arrested on Feb. 14 after investigators searched his home, Foley said. He was held following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester. According to the charging document, in October 2024, investigators identified Ward as a member in a Kik Messenger group used 'for sharing and discussing incestuous activities to include those involving minors.' In private messages with undercover law enforcement, Ward allegedly stated he had a 'private group' with other users 'who discussed the sexual abuse and exploitation of children,' prosecutors said. Anyone who has questions, concerns or information regarding this case is urged to call 617-748-3274. If convicted on the charge of reproduction of child sexual abuse material, Ward faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
