Lynn Ruane Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Senator
Office:Senator
Term Start:8 June 2016
Constituency:Dublin University
Birth Date:1984 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Party:Independent
Otherparty:Civil Engagement group
Children:2, including Jordanne Jones
Alma Mater:Trinity College Dublin

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

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. Ruane gave birth to her first daughter, Jordanne Jones, aged 15, and soon afterward broke up with her daughter's father. Ruane describes motherhood as having had a profound impact on her life, helping her to "ease the pain and give [her] a purpose".

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.

University politics

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

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

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

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.

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lynn Ruane. Oireachtas Members Database. 6 August 2019. 17 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190617235616/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Lynn-Ruane.S.2016-04-25. live.
  2. News: O'Brien . Carl . 5 January 2016 . Lynn Ruane: Aspiring Senator's crusading zeal for social justice . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125101844/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/lynn-ruane-aspiring-senator-s-crusading-zeal-for-social-justice-1.2484744 . 25 January 2016 . 27 April 2016 . The Irish Times . Dublin.
  3. Web site: Senator Lynn Ruane: I had a few wild years. Pregnancy calmed me down . 2024-12-04 . The Irish Times . en.
  4. Web site: Smith . Andrea . 2016-08-22 . Senator Lynn Ruane on becoming a mum at 15- 'At 13 I felt pressured into becoming sexually active because everybody else was' . 2024-09-04 . Irish Independent . en.
  5. Web site: Lynn Ruane: ‘Having a baby at 15 stopped me when I could have begun to use heroin’ . 2024-12-04 . The Irish Times . en.
  6. News: Baker. Sinead. Lynn Ruane Elected TCD SU President. 28 April 2016. University Times. 13 February 2015. 22 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822182837/http://www.universitytimes.ie/2015/02/lynn-ruane-elected-tcdsu-president/. live.
  7. News: Single mother who left school at 15 elected TCD SU president. Joe. Humphreys. The Irish Times. 23 July 2019. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104942/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/single-mother-who-left-school-at-15-elected-tcd-su-president-1.2103372. live.
  8. Web site: Early school leaver becomes Trinity's new Student Union president. Irish Independent. 13 February 2015 . 23 July 2019. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122221352/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/early-school-leaver-becomes-trinitys-new-student-union-president-30991263.html. live.
  9. Web site: Campaign to Push Trinity to Divest from €6 million in Oil Assets. universitytimes.ie. 23 July 2019. 26 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226043939/http://www.universitytimes.ie/2015/10/campaign-to-push-trinity-to-divest-from-e6-million-in-oil-assets/. live.
  10. Web site: The Indomitable Student Voices of the Repeal Movement. universitytimes.ie. 23 July 2019. 3 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190903180557/http://www.universitytimes.ie/2018/05/the-indomitable-student-voices-of-the-repeal-movement/. live.
  11. Web site: Lynn Ruane to Run for Seanad. universitytimes.ie. 23 July 2019. 1 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190701150254/http://www.universitytimes.ie/2015/12/lynn-ruane-to-run-for-seanad/. live.
  12. News: O'Halloran. Marie. Collins. Stephen. 27 April 2016. Former justice minister Michael McDowell wins Seanad seat. The Irish Times. Dublin. 27 April 2016. 28 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160428100314/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/former-justice-minister-michael-mcdowell-wins-seanad-seat-1.2626468. live.
  13. News: Ryan. Charlotte. Lynn Ruane Defeats Barrett on Fifteenth Count to Secure Third TCD Panel Seat. 28 April 2016. University Times. 27 April 2016. 28 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160428100444/http://www.universitytimes.ie/2016/04/lynn-ruane-defeats-barrett-on-fifteenth-count-to-secure-third-tcd-panel-seat/. live.
  14. Web site: Lynn Ruane Introduces Drug Decriminalisation Bill In Seanad. lynnruane.ie. 23 July 2019. 23 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190723015752/http://lynnruane.ie/lynn-ruane-introduces-drug-decriminalisation-bill-in-seanad/. live.
  15. Web site: Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017: Second Stage. Houses of the. Oireachtas. 31 May 2017. oireachtas.ie. 23 July 2019. 23 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190723015810/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2017-05-31/16/. live.
  16. Web site: The War on Drugs is a war on the poor and the sick . 2024-11-01 . The Labour Party . en-US.
  17. Web site: Senator Lynn Ruane Launches Spent Convictions Reform. lynnruane.ie. 23 July 2019. 23 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190723015826/http://lynnruane.ie/senator-lynn-ruane-launches-spent-convictions-reform/. live.
  18. Web site: Bill to expand spent convictions regime approved by Senators at second stage. Irish Legal News. 14 February 2019 . 23 July 2019. 19 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190219015645/https://www.irishlegal.com/article/bill-to-expand-spent-convictions-regime-approved-by-senators-at-second-stage. live.
  19. Web site: Passage of the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill ... . 2024-11-01 . www.iprt.ie . en.
  20. Web site: Oireachtas . Houses of the . 2021-05-31 . Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021 – No. 82 of 2021 – Houses of the Oireachtas . 2024-11-01 . www.oireachtas.ie . en-ie.
  21. Web site: Tighe . Mark . 2021-04-24 . Trinity senator Lynn Ruane in move to curtail non-disclosure agreements by employers . 2024-11-01 . www.thetimes.com . en.
  22. Web site: Chan . Melissa . 2017-12-20 . Harvey Weinstein's Former Assistant Breaks Her Silence on 'Repulsive Monster' . 2024-11-01 . TIME . en.
  23. Web site: Ruane . Lynn . 2023-10-20 . Lynn Ruane: NDAs have been misused as a tool to enforce a culture of silence - this has to stop . 2024-11-01 . TheJournal.ie . en.
  24. Web site: Oireachtas . Houses of the . 2024-10-23 . Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]

    Committee and Remaining Stages – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024 – Houses of the Oireachtas ]

    . 2024-11-01 . www.oireachtas.ie . en-ie.
  25. Web site: Ireland set to be one of first countries in world to allow women pause maternity leave if seriously ill, Minister says . 2024-11-01 . The Irish Times . en.
  26. Web site: Ireland . Office of the President of . Media Library News Releases . 2024-11-01 . president.ie . en.
  27. Web site: Government may support bill to compel firms to reveal emissions . 2024-11-01 . www.businesspost.ie . en-US.
  28. Web site: Oireachtas . Houses of the . 2021-09-06 . Companies (Emission Reporting) Bill 2021 – No. 120 of 2021 – Houses of the Oireachtas . 2024-11-01 . www.oireachtas.ie . en-ie.
  29. Web site: Boland . Lauren . 2021-11-24 . Legislation to mandate companies to report emissions moves forward in the Seanad . 2024-11-01 . TheJournal.ie . en.
  30. Web site: Oireachtas . Houses of the . 2024-02-23 . Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024 – No. 10 of 2024 – Houses of the Oireachtas . 2024-11-01 . www.oireachtas.ie . en-ie.
  31. Web site: Minister pledges ‘legal mechanisms’ within six months to allow random weapons checks on aircraft . 2024-11-01 . The Irish Times . en.
  32. Web site: Oireachtas . Houses of the . 2024-10-09 . Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024 – No. 88 of 2024 – Houses of the Oireachtas . 2024-11-01 . www.oireachtas.ie . en-ie.
  33. News: McGrath . Dominic . 2 January 2022 . Growing expectation of Irish citizens' assembly on drug use this year . The Independent . 10 February 2022.
  34. News: Cunningham . Paul . Proposal for Citizens' Assembly on bioversity before Cabinet 'shortly' . Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) . 10 February 2022.
  35. News: Ruane . Lynn . 22 January 2022 . Prohibition has never worked anywhere, and it never will . TheJournal.ie . 4 October 2023.
  36. News: Freyne . Patrick . 3 July 2021 . Legalising drugs: 'Drug use should be treated as normal adult behaviour' . The Irish Times . 4 October 2023.
  37. Web site: Oireachtas . Houses of the . 2024-10-24 . Lynn Ruane – Houses of the Oireachtas . 2024-11-01 . www.oireachtas.ie . en-ie.
  38. Cunningham . Paul . 2024-02-13 . Approval for committee to consider drug use report . en.
  39. Web site: State to pay for abortion surgery if ban scrapped. Hugh. O'Connell. businesspost.ie. 23 July 2019. 3 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190903201111/https://www.businesspost.ie/politics/state-pay-abortion-surgery-ban-scrapped-405684. live.
  40. News: Miriam Lord's Awards: Winners of this year's political gongs. Miriam. Lord. The Irish Times. 23 July 2019. 3 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190903054456/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/miriam-lord-s-awards-winners-of-this-year-s-political-gongs-1.3161958. live.
  41. Web site: Finn . Christina . 29 April 2016 . Lynn Ruane: 'I never had a desire to move into politics' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210816023102/https://www.thejournal.ie/lynne-ruane-seanad-2743666-Apr2016/ . 16 August 2021 . 27 September 2021 . TheJournal.ie.
  42. Web site: 25 April 2016 . WATCH: Tom Vaughan Lawlor and Mark Huberman in extended clip of 'Trial of the Century' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200220164741/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/watch-tom-vaughan-lawlor-and-mark-huberman-in-extended-clip-of-trial-of-the-century-34657689.html . 20 February 2020 . 27 September 2021 . independent.
  43. Web site: People Like Me P/B Lynn Ruane . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190510052718/https://www.easons.com/people-like-me-lynn-ruane-9780717180189 . 10 May 2019 . 23 July 2019 . easons.com.
  44. News: Freyne . Patrick . 15 September 2018 . Lynn Ruane: 'Having a baby at 15 stopped me when I could have begun to use heroin' . 11 February 2022 . The Irish Times.
  45. Web site: O'Loughlin . Vanessa . 28 September 2018 . Irish Bestsellers 22nd September 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191212211536/https://www.writing.ie/news/irish-bestseller-lists/irish-bestsellers-22nd-september-2018/ . 12 December 2019 . 23 July 2019 . Writing.ie.
  46. Web site: An Post Irish Book Awards – 2018 Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190410125254/https://www.irishbookawards.irish/2018-awards/ . 10 April 2019 . 23 July 2019.
  47. News: Lee . Jenny . 24 July 2021 . Celebrating Ireland's working-class writers in The 32 . 11 February 2022 . The Irish News.
  48. News: McVeigh . Paul . 23 March 2020 . Are you a new or emerging writer from a working-class background? . 11 February 2022 . The Irish Times.
  49. News: Brennan . Marjorie . 24 February 2020 . Why Paul McVeigh is providing an outlet for working-class voices . 11 February 2022 . Irish Examiner.
  50. News: Butler . Jonathan . 6 June 2022 . Lynn Ruane's new podcast series examines life behind prison walls . 4 October 2023 . Irish Examiner.
  51. 2022-09-17 . All the winners from the 2022 Irish Podcast Awards . en.
  52. 2023-02-07 . Miriam Margolyes & Lynn Ruane go on the trail of Lady Gregory . en.
  53. Web site: O’Callaghan . Helen . 2023-02-09 . Lady Gregory review: Margolyes and Ruane explore the life of the almost-forgotten heroine . 2024-11-11 . Irish Examiner . en.
  54. Web site: ‘You have a very strong accent’: Miriam Margolyes hits peak Brit Abroad mode with Lynn Ruane . 2024-11-11 . The Irish Times . en.
  55. 2023-01-27 . 'I'd like to be Irish', says Miriam Margolyes . en.
  56. Web site: Dwyer . Riccardo . Senator Lynn Ruane's short film to premiere next week at Galway Film Fleadh . 2024-11-11 . Hotpress.
  57. Web site: Square1 . Senator Lynn Ruane on her new short film . 2024-11-11 . Newstalk . en.
  58. Web site: Dublin International Film Festival 2024 announces first festival highlights, including jam-packed Shorts Programme with over 40 films . 2024-11-11 . Screen Ireland . en.
  59. Web site: US comedy giant Conan O’Brien declares Ireland ‘quite the ride... for a ginger’ . 2024-11-11 . The Irish Times . en.
  60. Web site: Walsh . Andrew . Dublin coming-of-age film is looking to cast teens from working class communities . 2024-11-11 . Hotpress.
  61. Web site: 2023-05-13 . Filming set to start next month on teenage life in 90s Dublin written by Senator Lynn Ruane . 2024-11-11 . Irish Independent . en.
  62. Web site: Ireland2024-05-19T05:00:00+01:00 . Screen . Why Irish film is in rude health in 2024 . 2024-11-11 . Screen . en.
  63. Web site: Films of 2015: Dublin Film Critics Circle weigh in . Scannain . 22 December 2015 . 23 December 2015 . 24 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151224104749/http://www.scannain.com/featured/dublin-film-critics-circle-films-2015 . live .
  64. Web site: 28 April 2016 . Meet Jordanne Jones – nominated for Best Actress IFTA at just 14 . Liadan . Hynes . . 18 May 2015 . 9 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160509043835/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/meet-jordanne-jones-nominated-for-best-actress-ifta-at-just-14-31226110.html . live .
  65. Web site: Griffin . Niamh . 2022-10-31 . Endometriosis sufferer Lynne Ruane leads group of senators calling for greater care . 2024-11-11 . Irish Examiner . en.
  66. Web site: 2024-04-14 . 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’ . 2024-12-04 . www.independent.ie . en.

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