Mary McCarthy

Irish Independent columnist & This Working Life feature / radio contributor

[email protected]

[Irish Independent @Independent_ie]

Security, defence and AI – 6 government priorities as Ireland prepares to take over EU presidency with €180m programme https://t.co/yDnxeQ6ioJ

[Irish Independent @Independent_ie]

Mary McCarthy: I’ve had babies in three countries and Ireland’s public system was best – private maternity care is a waste https://t.co/Tbs1DlyHKW

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

Calcium, vitamin D and protein - we need it for strong bones - milk has all of that, so why are we not giving it to our kids at school to get them in the habit? In Ireland only ten percent now take part in the school milk scheme...should be universal

https://t.co/cY8TKryF1r

[Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @Ireland2026eu]

The wait is nearly over…

Tomorrow, we're launching the programme and priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Join us live:
📅 Wednesday 10 June 2026
🕛 14:30 GMT/15:30 CET

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

So important

[Ireland at UN @IrishMissionUN]

Disability inclusion is a core priority for Ireland. Enabling everyone to participate fully is key to a more equal world.

Today at #COSP19, Minister Emer Higgins TD reaffirmed 🇮🇪’s commitment to championing the values that underpin the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2️⃣0️⃣ years on from its adoption.

🔗 https://t.co/kRh3Ghn9Dz

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

This is so sad, we don't realise how lucky we are ...we can't let all these women and girls suffer like this

[UN News @UN_News_Centre]

Afghanistan faces a fragile and uncertain future as worsening humanitarian conditions, restrictions on women and girls, and mounting economic pressures deepen the crisis.

UN officials warn of a potential “lost generation of talent and potential”.

https://t.co/IWKwgZUceq

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

Fair play to the UK...When you listen properly to parents you realise that delaying kids going on to social media must happen, yes lets make these spaces safer for all AND try to stop harms before they happen

[Financial Times @FT]

Parents force Starmer into embracing social media ban https://t.co/SUlakvLsBH

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

Marvellous to see more inclusion at the GAA this summer ...last year there were GAA camps for children with disabilities but they finished at different times ..which would have made it impossible for some parents to manage- v. encouraging this change!

https://t.co/QVEDaKNpkE

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

@jenhoganjourno There is no way I would let my 13 year old on to Snap today...five years ago when my then 12 year old signed up (he said he was 26) I did not have a clue..but thankfully parents are a bit more savvy now (we just need the law to back us up to create new norms on a wider scale)

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

The Marty Supreme madness in our house has reached new heights!!... a table tennis robot is the ultimate stress buster....zero chance any worry can climb into your brain with those balls coming at you

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

@sophiegrenham Loved that interview, have been a fan for over twenty five years and have always wondered about the story...

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

"social media delay" - a more accurate term and takes the emotion out of this debate

When it comes to "experts" and kids on social media , parents are the best ones to consult... they prefer kids were a bit older before they gotTikTok, Snap, Insta etc

https://t.co/QB7aHeq2At

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

Not one of the experts who are supposed to help protect kids online suggested delaying social media by 36 months?

"at no time during these many hearings on online safety was a social media ban for under 16s recommended by any of the expert witnesses"

https://t.co/50rcQRbWn6

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

@ClaraChappaz enfin une bonne nouvelle!!

[96fm Opinion Line @OpinionLine96]

LISTEN BACK Let's Be Honest About Fear Of Driving On Motorways
@pjcoogan talks to @Maryknowsbees Mary McCarthy who comes clean about her fear of driving on a motorway and talks about how she plans to fix it.

https://t.co/cvAGMpGqt2

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

significant!! v hopeful now the EU will raise age to use social media.

I simply can't understand anyone who claims it is better that younger teens are on it

Too many harms to roll the dice at 13. Sure, loads of benefits but they will be there in a few dozen months

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Digital spaces provide immense benefits for learning and more.

But the risks for our children are real.

We must build a digital world in which they can grow up free and secure.

Protected by the values Europe stands for ↓ https://t.co/gqEKtHcUN6

[Norma Foley T.D @NormaFoleyTD1]

I’m really pleased to announce the launch of the free My Little Library book bags for all children who will be starting primary school later this year. I really do encourage all their families to pick up their child's free book bag in their local library.

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

Heartbreaking. More must be done in Ireland to make sure swimming lessons available at schools from first class...

https://t.co/oyGlHnQ5Qc

[Mary McCarthy @Maryknowsbees]

No surprise tech firms say their wares aren't addictive, tobacco companies as recently as the 1990's were disputing that smoking involves addiction to nicotine! At last it feels the world is coming to their senses - young teens not ready for social media

https://t.co/ixUo2k8aEi

[UNICEF Afghanistan @UNICEFAfg]

Speaking to @TOLOnews, @UNICEFAfg Chief of Communication @DanTimme1 said restrictions on girls’ education will affect #Afghanistan’s development, especially in the education and health sectors.
Read more: https://t.co/cyQLG4gkXP