As your voice in Seanad Éireann, I pledge to introduce and support comprehensive legislation across five critical areas that will shape Ireland’s future.
My experience in public service has taught me that effective change comes through well-crafted laws and persistent advocacy.
Your voice matters in shaping these important laws.
Join me to bring meaningful legislative reform to Seanad Éireann
Latest News
Tonight, We’re All Behind the Girls in Green Senator Anne Rabbitte — 9 June 2026
There's a game tonight that deserves every bit of your attention, your voice, and your pride. In Grenoble, at the Stade des Alpes, Carla Ward's Ireland Women's National Team takes on France in a crunch World Cup qualifier—and the road to Brazil 2027 runs directly...
The Drug Is Made in Cork. The Families Are Still Waiting
The drug that could slow Friedreich’s Ataxia is made in Cork. Ireland exports it to nine European countries. But 200 Irish patients still can’t access it on the HSE. Senator Anne Rabbitte explains why — and what needs to change.
Dear Girls of Ireland: The Future Is Already Yours A Letter for International Women’s Day
Wherever you are today — at home, spending time with family, or friends or quietly beginning to imagine the life you want to build — I want you to know something important. Your voice matters. When I first became involved in public life, there were not many women in...
My Priorities in Senate
Disability Rights
I will introduce legislation to strengthen the Disability Act 2005, focusing on:
- Mandatory accessibility standards for all new buildings and public transport
- Enhanced employment quotas in both public sector.
- Reform of the current assessment of needs process
- Increased funding for personal assistance services
Building on my previous work on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act,
I will push for comprehensive implementation and necessary amendments
Regional Balance
I will propose a comprehensive Regional Development Act to:
- Establish mandatory investment ratios for rural infrastructure projects
- Work with impact with councillors in local authorities and Regional Assemply
- Implement high-speed broadband guarantees for rural communities
- Reform planning laws to support rural development while protecting our environment
This legislation will ensure that our national prosperity is shared across all regions, backed by concrete funding commitments and clear accountability measures.
Women in Sport
I will propose new legislation to revolutionize women’s sports through:
- Mandatory equal allocation of funding for men’s and women’s sporting programs
- Legal requirement for balanced media coverage in state broadcasts
- Tax incentives for businesses sponsoring women’s sports
- Establishment of a Women in Sport Development Fund
- Equal funding for Paralympians
Digital Safety for All
I will champion new digital protection laws including:
- The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill enhancement
- Mandatory age verification for social media platforms
- Legal requirements for platforms to implement parental controls
- Creation of a Children’s Digital Safety Commissioner role
- Bring forward Catfishing Legislation
Misinformation and Disinformation
I will introduce comprehensive legislation to:
- Create legal frameworks for fact-checking requirements
- Implement penalties for deliberate spread of harmful misinformation
- Mandate digital literacy and safety programs throughout education.
Living my Life
The initiative is a collaboration between Ability West and the Brothers of Charity, which will provide access to housing for adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Galway City and County. I want to expand Living my Life to all Local Authorities.
Optional Protocol
Ensure all Departments and Agencies operationalise the Optional Protocol. An Optional Protocol is an additional part to an existing treaty that addresses issues that weren’t covered in the main treaty or that weren’t covered sufficiently.
Countries need to sign and ratify each Optional Protocol separately because they sometimes create additional responsibilities to carry out.
The First and Third Optional Protocols, which Ireland ratified in 2002 and 2014 respectively, relate to the protection of children from involvement in armed conflicts and to a communications procedure, allowing children to bring complaints directly to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The Second Optional Protocol to the Convention concerns the sale of children, the exploitation of children in prostitution, and child sexual abuse material.
Ireland signed the Second Optional Protocol in 2000 and is now preparing to ratify it, and I am very pleased that the final steps in Ireland’s journey towards implementing the Optional Protocol have now been taken and that it will come into effect before the end of the year.
I am delighted that this key government commitment has been delivered and that this milestone has been achieved.
Accession to the Optional Protocol is one of a number of measures being taken by my department and across the government to ensure that persons with disabilities are enabled to live the lives of their own choosing on an equal basis with all others.
The Optional Protocol will strengthen accountability on how we uphold the rights as set out in the Convention and will support Ireland to move progressively to a more inclusive and fair society for everyone.
Senator Rabbitte Speaking in The Seanad
Video Archive
A little bit more about me
Baby steps and leaps of faith have shaped my journey, leading me to where I am today—proud to now serve as Senator Anne Rabbitte in Seanad Éireann after being first elected to the Dáil in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.
Before stepping into politics, I spent 25 years in the financial sector, gaining valuable experience in management, leadership, and problem-solving.
From leading interdisciplinary teams to navigating complex challenges, my career has always been driven by a simple yet powerful purpose: finding solutions that make a real difference.
No matter the role—TD, Minister of State, or now Senator—I believe in collaboration, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving.
I’m passionate about breaking down barriers, championing fairness, and ensuring that policies work for the people they’re meant to serve.
What are my key priorities?
To serve you
It’s been my honour to serve the country and its people, especially those whose voices, rights to opportunities have been limited or denied.
I have represented the electorate in the Dáil for the past eight years and was honoured to be appointed Minister of State in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Youth and Integration.
From 2016 to 2020 I was appointed Front Bench Spokeswoman on Children and Youth Affairs.
Now, I have another opportunity to serve in the Seanad, to ensure that the needs of our people are represented in our laws and that everyone shares in the prosperity and promise of modern Ireland.
To Deliver Results
Ireland is a thriving and modern country, yet there is still so much to achieve.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a proven ability to deliver meaningful results—securing advancements in disability rights, in diversity and women’s healthcare.
My approach is rooted in collaboration, practicality, and a focus on real solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
To Stand for You
I believe that my voice reflects the principles and values that matter to the people of Ireland. Collaboration, consultation, implementation married to adequate legislation and funding to ensure delivery is in my DNA.
I am grateful to the Taoiseach, Michéal Martin for his unwavering confidence in me and the Oireachtas members and councillors who supported me in my journey.
As a committed and progressive public servant, I will represent you with pride, integrity, and the wealth of experience I have gained in advocating for fairness and equality.
With determination and compassion, I will ensure that your concerns and aspirations are at the heart of my work in the Seanad.
Office
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
- (01) 6183747
Contact Me
- anne@annerabbitte.ie
- Fianna Fáil 31.67%
- Fine Gael 28.33%
- Independent 21.67%
- Sinn Fein 10%
- Labour 3.33%