I regret  the offence  caused to Women’s rugby by my recent comments. I have been contacted by a number of people regarding the participation of Women in Rugby and realise that my point of view was ill informed.

I have been made aware of many excellent initiatives  around the country including one that was recently launched in County Roscommon, a partnership between Connaught Rugby, Creggs RFC and Roscommon County Council with the co-funding of a Club Community Rugby officer which will enhance the development of Rugby in Roscommon.  Michael Glennon, Club Community Rugby Officer is visiting schools, communities and individuals to increase the profile and impact of the game at a local level and making it accessible to all. 


The initiative has been rolled out in a number of schools including my local primary school, Fuerty N.S. where both boys and girls are getting to experience and enjoy Rugby, some are trying it out for the first time. There is a very successful and active Rugby Club nearby in Creggs.

Recently there was a Rugby Blitz on the playing pitches in the grounds of Donamon Castle with boys and girls from local primary schools playing against each other.  I want to recognise the work of volunteer coaches up and down the country that have been fostering the participation of boys and girls in sport, including in the sport of Rugby.  I realise that we need to support the participation of children and young people in all sports and activities in the interest of their health and well being.


I have also been made aware by several people of the recent decision by The IRFU to downgrade the position of Ireland Women's team head coach to a 6-month-contract on a part-time, casual basis. I fully support all players and this week, players both male and female across Ireland and the UK are wearing wristbands that read 'LEGACY', calling into question the legacy the IRFU want to leave women's rugby with, just after hosting the World Cup.

I fully support the legacy campaign.#legacy

I attended Chairperson meeting of European Affairs Committees in Tallinn, Estonia from Sunday 

The chairwomen and chairmen of the EU affairs committees of the EU’s parliaments come together to discuss current issues. The conference began on Sunday, opened by President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor (SDE) and Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center). The attending representatives got an overview of the priorities of Estonia’s first EU council presidency.

The main topics of the Plenary Meeting are the future of the EU, the role of national parliaments, the development of digital single market, the external dimension of migration, and the security issues.

Senator Terry Leyden addressed COSAC Meeting of European Union today in Malta on the topic"Outcome of the United Kingdom on Brexit Referendum -State of play. This meeting was addressed by Mr.Michel Barnier,Chief Negotiator for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom and Ms.Danuta Maria Hubner,Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Union.

Senator Leyden who is Vice Chairman of European Affairs Committee and Leader of Irish Delegation from Dail and Seanad to COSAC Conference in Malta from Sunday 28th.May to Tuesday 30th.May 2017.

In the course of his address Senator Leyden welcomed recent visit of Mr.Barnier to Joint Session of Dail and Seanad on 11th.May 2017 and is knowledge of the position of Ireland regarding 500 KM.border with UK and Good Friday Agreement.I also welcome views of Ms.Hubner and her awareness of the need for a see seemless border between Ireland and U.K.

Senator Leyden stated that the people of U.K.were  misled by fake news on 23rd.June 2016 when they voted for Brexit to leave the European Union now the final negotiated Agreement should also go before the United Kingdom in a Referendum to either approve or remain in European Union.

In conclusion Senator Leyden said we in Ireland and the European Affairs Joint Committee on European Affairs will closely monitor the negotiations lead by Mr.Michel Barnier on behalf of the
European Union.

End.

Issued from Malta by Senator Terry Leyden.

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Terry Leyden has been awarded Honorary Membership of The Council of Europe in Strasbourg.Senator Terry Leyden was presented with a Diploma and an Assembly medal by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mr. Pedro Agramunt at a reception held in his honour yesterday.

The Castlecoote based Senator was first appointed to the Irish delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe by the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds in 1992, and was subsequently reappointed by Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen and Micheál Martin. He was also nominated to British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, where he currently serves on Committee dealing with European Affairs and Brexit.
​
Yesterdays ceremony was attended by Ambassador Keith McBean, Mr.Jordi Xucla President of Liberal & Democrats in Europe and leader of the Irish delegation Senator Joe O’Reilly. Deputy Sean Crowe, Deputy Robert Troy, Senator Alice Mary Higgins, Senator Ronan Mullen were also in attendance.

Wednesday, 23 November 2016: Senator Terry Leyden has called on the Leader of Seanad Eireann to arrange a debate on consumer rights after being changed €5.50 for a call to 11811 recently & appealed to RTE to refrain from promoting shopping north of the border

Senator Leyden believes other people are also victims of this company and feels the charges are excessive.
" I bring to the Leader's attention that people ring 11811 for directory enquiries. The charge is €2.74 for that call, but Pure Telecom, an Irish company with two directors whom I will not name and which was ripping me off, is charging €5.50 for that privilege. That is a rip-off. That is a 100% increase. I am saying to consumers, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts."

Senator Leyden went on to issue a warning to people who receive "cold Calls" from this company & others offering switching deals
"I am saying to consumers to be wary of such cold calls coming in and making the subscriber an offer to change electricity provider, telephone provide or buy this or that."

Senator Leyden finished his sppech in the Seanad by appealing to RTE to refrain from promoting shopping north of the border
"I also appeal to RTE broadcasters to refrain from promoting shopping north of the Border. They should remember who is paying the licence fee. We south of the Border pay €160 per year for that honour. These great offers north of the Border are a myth in most cases but those going up there think otherwise. They should also check their insurance cover that they are insured to drive north of the Border because, whether we like it or not, they are leaving the State. I do not like it but they are technically, from an insurance point of view, leaving it."


These are the kinds of issues I will bring to the attention of consumers. The Consumer Association of Ireland and the National Consumer Agency should wake up. They are not doing the job they were set up to do. We have to do their job now in this House. I will continue to do so, now that Fine Gael has decided to drop the rip-off Ireland campaign.

Link to speech in Seanad éireann 

Fianna Fáil Senator Terry Leyden also criticised RTÉ this afternoon, describing the plan to outsource children's programmes as a "retrograde step".

He said "children's programmes are very important", saying "they are highly regarded and the quality has been renowned".

"We go back to Wanderly Wagon, Bosco, The Den, Zig and Zag. Bosco actually created jobs in Roscommon where it was made.
"You can influence a nation through its children so if you take that influence away and outsource it to Britain or the USA to save money it is a poor reflection."
Mr Leyden was also critical of the Oireachtas Report programme for not covering all of the Oireachtas equally, saying it had ignored the Seanad. In a statement tonight, RTÉ said it remains "committed to providing coverage of the Oireachtas as a key element of our public service remit.
"As part of ongoing reviews of our services, we are currently looking at the best ways of providing television and online coverage of the important work of the Oireachtas to the widest possible audience, particularly in the context of changing patterns of media consumption in Ireland

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