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Lynn Ruane

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Senator
Lynn Ruane
Senator
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 June 2016
ConstituencyDublin University
Personal details
Born (1984-10-20) 20 October 1984 (age 40)
Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Civil Engagement group
Children2, including Jordanne Jones
Alma materTrinity College Dublin
Websitelynnruane.ie
Lynn Ruane's voice (2:10)
Ruane recites the poem "Coole Park, 1929" by W. B. Yeats

Lynn Ruane (born 20 October 1984) is an Irish politician who has served as an independent Senator for the Dublin University constituency in Seanad Éireann since April 2016.[1] She was the President of the Trinity College Dublin Students' Union from 2015 to 2016.

Early life

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Born in Ballymun, Ruane grew up in a council estate in Killinarden, west Tallaght.[2] While she grew up in a happy and stable home environment, Ruane's childhood was marked by trauma, with her community affected disproportionately by poverty, deprivation, drug addiction and premature death.[3] At age 13, she witnessed a close friend being struck by a bus and killed, the first of a number of young deaths she confronted in her local area.[4]

Ruane became pregnant at the age of 15, at which point she left school, although her guidance counsellor later convinced her to return to complete her Junior Certificate.[2][4] Ruane gave birth to her first daughter, Jordanne Jones, aged 15.[4] Ruane describes motherhood as having had a profound impact on her life, helping her to "ease the pain and give [her] a purpose".[4]

After returning to education at An Cosán, an educational centre for women started by Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan,[5] Ruane studied addiction at IT Tallaght, later going on to develop local services for drug users in Dublin.[2]

University politics

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In 2012, she completed a foundation programme to allow access to a degree programme at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and studied politics and philosophy.[2] Having spent a year representing student parents on the Trinity College Dublin Students' Union executive, she was elected as the union's president on 12 February 2015,[6] which gained national attention.[7][8] As president, she was active in the fossil fuel divestment campaign at TCD,[9] and the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment.[10]

National political career

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In December 2015, Ruane announced her intention to contest the 2016 Seanad election in the Dublin University constituency as an independent candidate.[11] She was elected to represent Trinity graduates in the Oireachtas on the 15th and final count, unseating incumbent Sean Barrett.[12][13] She was re-elected at the 2020 Seanad election, reaching the quota on the eighth count.

In the 25th Seanad, Ruane sits with the Civil Engagement group; an alliance of independent senators seeking to bring civil society expertise and experience into the Oireachtas.

In May 2017, Ruane introduced the Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill to the Seanad, which proposed removing criminal sanctions for minor drug possession.[14][15] The Bill was co-sponsored by then Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [16]

In February 2019, Ruane introduced the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill to the Seanad, which proposed expanding access to spent convictions, broadening the number and range of convictions that can be regarded as spent. [17] [18] The Bill passed final stage in the Seanad in June 2021 with unanimous support, including from the Government. [19]

In June 2021, Ruane introduced the Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021 to the Seanad, which proposed restricting the use of non-disclosure agreements in incidents of workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. [20] The Bill was developed in the context of the MeToo movement,[21] during which a significant number of people disclosed their experiences of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, including Zelda Perkins, a former assistant to film producer Harvey Weinstein.[22] The Bill garnered significant attention internationally, inspiring the development of similar legislation in a number of other jurisdictions.[23] In October 2024, legislative amendments informed by Ruane's Bill were inserted by Minister Roderic O'Gorman TD to the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Bill 2024,[24][25] which was subsequently signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins.[26]

In November 2021, Ruane introduced the Companies (Emission Reporting) Bill 2021 to the Seanad, which proposed to require companies to make disclosures regarding the greenhouse gas emissions caused by their activities annually, and to cause decreases in these emissions over time.[27][28] The Bill successfully passed second stage consideration with cross-party support, despite the Government indicating its intention to impose a delay on the Bill. [29]

In May 2024, Ruane co-sponsored the Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024, which proposed restrictions on the transit and export of weapons of war from and through Ireland to Israel, and to cause inspections of planes seeking to transit weapons through the Irish territory and airspace. [30] Minister Eamon Ryan TD successfully sought to delay the future passage of the Bill for six months, stalling its progress. [31]

In October 2024, Ruane introduced the Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024 to the Seanad, which proposed the appointment of special advocates to represent the interests of parole applicants where certain information is withheld by the Parole Board in its consideration of the application. [32]

Ruane has been referred to as "a long-time campaigner for drug reform in Ireland."[33] She and Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan have called for a citizens' assembly on drugs.[34] Ruane asserts that drug prohibition has never worked and in 2021 signed an open letter with over 100 Irish youth workers and former youth workers calling for an end to drug prohibition and for the legal regulation of drugs in Ireland. The letter has also been signed by Senator Eileen Flynn.[35][36]

Ruane is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committees on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Justice, in addition to being vice-chair of the special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use,[37] which was established to consider the 2023 report and recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use.[38] She was formerly vice-chair of the special Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, which was established to examine the repeal of Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion and recommend the legal grounds to access an abortion in Ireland.[39]

Miriam Lord of The Irish Times named Ruane her 2016 Senator of the Year.[40]

Work outside of politics

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In 2016, Ruane played a juror on the TV3 historical courtroom drama Trial of the Century.[41][42]

In September 2018, Ruane published a memoir entitled People Like Me.[43][44] The memoir reached number one on the Irish paperback non-fiction charts and won the 2018 An Post Irish Book Award for best non-fiction.[45][46]

In 2021, Ruane contributed to a published collection of memoirs and essays called The 32: An Anthology of Irish Working-Class Voices.[47][48][49]

In 2022, Ruane launched the podcast series Conversations on the Margins, which she created and presented.[50] The series examines the lives of people incarcerated in Irish prisons in a meaningful way, and includes conversations with prisoners, prison staff and management, and advocates for penal reform. The series won the 2022 Irish Podcast Award for best interview. [51]

In February 2023, Ruane presented a two-part documentary on RTÉ with Miriam Margolyes entitled Lady Gregory: Ireland's First Social Influencer.[52] The series, filmed in the summer of 2022, traces the influence of Lady Augusta Gregory on Irish theatre, writing and the arts. The series was well received by Irish media, with pundits being endeared by the dynamic and banter shared between the duo.[53][54] Ruane and Margolyes appeared together on the Late Late Show to promote the programme in January 2023.[55]

In July 2023, Waiting Day, a short film written by Ruane, was premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh.[56] The film, directed by Grace Dyas, depicts a day in the life of a young family affected by poverty and addiction.[57] The film was created with the support of Alfonso Films and Screen Ireland, and stars Ruane's eldest daughter, Jordanne Jones. In 2024, the film featured in the programme of the Dublin International Film Festival. [58]

In April 2024, Ruane featured in an episode of the Max travel show Conan O'Brien Must Go, which saw its host, Conan O'Brien, return to his ancestral homeland. In the episode, Ruane taught O'Brien idiomatic Irish and Dublin slang. [59]

Ruane's first feature length film, a coming-of-age story entitled Ready or Not, is due to be released in 2024. The film follows a group of friends navigating the challenges of teenagehood in the 1990s against the backdrop of working class Dublin. Casting for the film was undertaken in working class communities in Dublin, with filming wrapping in July 2023. The film is the directorial debut of award-winning filmmaker Claire Frances Byrne, and was produced by Ruth Coady for Gaze Pictures and supported by Screen Ireland, Bankside Films, RTÉ and Article 1. [60][61][62]

Personal life

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Ruane has two daughters. Her eldest daughter, Jordanne Jones, born when Ruane was 15, is a DFCC award-winning and IFTA nominated actress.[63][64] She has another daughter from a subsequent relationship.[4]

Ruane lives with endometriosis, and has advocated for more expedient diagnosis and better care for people affected by the disease in Ireland. [65] In 2023, Ruane was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [66]

Bibliography

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  • People Like Me (Gill Books, ISBN 9780717180189, published September 2018)
  • The 32: An Anthology of Irish Working-Class Voices (Unbound, ISBN 9781800180246, published July 2021)

References

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  1. ^ "Lynn Ruane". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d O'Brien, Carl (5 January 2016). "Lynn Ruane: Aspiring Senator's crusading zeal for social justice". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Senator Lynn Ruane: I had a few wild years. Pregnancy calmed me down". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Smith, Andrea (22 August 2016). "Senator Lynn Ruane on becoming a mum at 15- 'At 13 I felt pressured into becoming sexually active because everybody else was'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Lynn Ruane: 'Having a baby at 15 stopped me when I could have begun to use heroin'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. ^ Baker, Sinead (13 February 2015). "Lynn Ruane Elected TCD SU President". University Times. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  7. ^ Humphreys, Joe. "Single mother who left school at 15 elected TCD SU president". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Early school leaver becomes Trinity's new Student Union president". Irish Independent. 13 February 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Campaign to Push Trinity to Divest from €6 million in Oil Assets". universitytimes.ie. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  10. ^ "The Indomitable Student Voices of the Repeal Movement". universitytimes.ie. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Lynn Ruane to Run for Seanad". universitytimes.ie. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  12. ^ O'Halloran, Marie; Collins, Stephen (27 April 2016). "Former justice minister Michael McDowell wins Seanad seat". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  13. ^ Ryan, Charlotte (27 April 2016). "Lynn Ruane Defeats Barrett on Fifteenth Count to Secure Third TCD Panel Seat". University Times. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Lynn Ruane Introduces Drug Decriminalisation Bill In Seanad". lynnruane.ie. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  15. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (31 May 2017). "Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017: Second Stage". oireachtas.ie. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  16. ^ "The War on Drugs is a war on the poor and the sick". The Labour Party. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Senator Lynn Ruane Launches Spent Convictions Reform". lynnruane.ie. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  18. ^ "Bill to expand spent convictions regime approved by Senators at second stage". Irish Legal News. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Passage of the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill ..." www.iprt.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  20. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (31 May 2021). "Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021 – No. 82 of 2021 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  21. ^ Tighe, Mark (24 April 2021). "Trinity senator Lynn Ruane in move to curtail non-disclosure agreements by employers". The Times. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  22. ^ Chan, Melissa (20 December 2017). "Harvey Weinstein's Former Assistant Breaks Her Silence on 'Repulsive Monster'". TIME. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  23. ^ Ruane, Lynn (20 October 2023). "Lynn Ruane: NDAs have been misused as a tool to enforce a culture of silence - this has to stop". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  24. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (23 October 2024). "Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Ireland set to be one of first countries in world to allow women pause maternity leave if seriously ill, Minister says". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  26. ^ Ireland, Office of the President of. "Media Library News Releases". president.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Government may support bill to compel firms to reveal emissions". www.businesspost.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  28. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (6 September 2021). "Companies (Emission Reporting) Bill 2021 – No. 120 of 2021 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  29. ^ Boland, Lauren (24 November 2021). "Legislation to mandate companies to report emissions moves forward in the Seanad". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  30. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (23 February 2024). "Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024 – No. 10 of 2024 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Minister pledges 'legal mechanisms' within six months to allow random weapons checks on aircraft". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  32. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (9 October 2024). "Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024 – No. 88 of 2024 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  33. ^ McGrath, Dominic (2 January 2022). "Growing expectation of Irish citizens' assembly on drug use this year". The Independent. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  34. ^ Cunningham, Paul. "Proposal for Citizens' Assembly on bioversity before Cabinet 'shortly'". Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  35. ^ Ruane, Lynn (22 January 2022). "Prohibition has never worked anywhere, and it never will". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  36. ^ Freyne, Patrick (3 July 2021). "Legalising drugs: 'Drug use should be treated as normal adult behaviour'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  37. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (24 October 2024). "Lynn Ruane – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  38. ^ Cunningham, Paul (13 February 2024). "Approval for committee to consider drug use report". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  39. ^ O'Connell, Hugh. "State to pay for abortion surgery if ban scrapped". businesspost.ie. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  40. ^ Lord, Miriam. "Miriam Lord's Awards: Winners of this year's political gongs". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  41. ^ Finn, Christina (29 April 2016). "Lynn Ruane: 'I never had a desire to move into politics'". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  42. ^ "WATCH: Tom Vaughan Lawlor and Mark Huberman in extended clip of 'Trial of the Century'". independent. 25 April 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  43. ^ "People Like Me P/B Lynn Ruane". easons.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  44. ^ Freyne, Patrick (15 September 2018). "Lynn Ruane: 'Having a baby at 15 stopped me when I could have begun to use heroin'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  45. ^ O'Loughlin, Vanessa (28 September 2018). "Irish Bestsellers 22nd September 2018". Writing.ie. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  46. ^ "An Post Irish Book Awards – 2018 Awards". Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  47. ^ Lee, Jenny (24 July 2021). "Celebrating Ireland's working-class writers in The 32". The Irish News. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  48. ^ McVeigh, Paul (23 March 2020). "Are you a new or emerging writer from a working-class background?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  49. ^ Brennan, Marjorie (24 February 2020). "Why Paul McVeigh is providing an outlet for working-class voices". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  50. ^ Butler, Jonathan (6 June 2022). "Lynn Ruane's new podcast series examines life behind prison walls". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  51. ^ "All the winners from the 2022 Irish Podcast Awards". 17 September 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  52. ^ "Miriam Margolyes & Lynn Ruane go on the trail of Lady Gregory". 7 February 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  53. ^ O’Callaghan, Helen (9 February 2023). "Lady Gregory review: Margolyes and Ruane explore the life of the almost-forgotten heroine". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  54. ^ "'You have a very strong accent': Miriam Margolyes hits peak Brit Abroad mode with Lynn Ruane". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  55. ^ "'I'd like to be Irish', says Miriam Margolyes". 27 January 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  56. ^ Dwyer, Riccardo. "Senator Lynn Ruane's short film to premiere next week at Galway Film Fleadh". Hotpress. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  57. ^ Square1. "Senator Lynn Ruane on her new short film". Newstalk. Retrieved 11 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  58. ^ "Dublin International Film Festival 2024 announces first festival highlights, including jam-packed Shorts Programme with over 40 films". Screen Ireland. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  59. ^ "US comedy giant Conan O'Brien declares Ireland 'quite the ride... for a ginger'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  60. ^ Walsh, Andrew. "Dublin coming-of-age film is looking to cast teens from working class communities". Hotpress. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  61. ^ "Filming set to start next month on teenage life in 90s Dublin written by Senator Lynn Ruane". Irish Independent. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  62. ^ Ireland2024-05-19T05:00:00+01:00, Screen. "Why Irish film is in rude health in 2024". Screen. Retrieved 11 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  63. ^ "Films of 2015: Dublin Film Critics Circle weigh in". Scannain. 22 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  64. ^ Hynes, Liadan (18 May 2015). "Meet Jordanne Jones – nominated for Best Actress IFTA at just 14". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  65. ^ Griffin, Niamh (31 October 2022). "Endometriosis sufferer Lynne Ruane leads group of senators calling for greater care". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  66. ^ "Lynn Ruane: 'It's crazy to me that I never realised I had ADHD before. All these years I thought I was just a little bit bold'". www.independent.ie. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
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