Results 1-20 of 31 for immigration speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: EU Migration: Motion [Private Members] (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...abroad is of fundamental importance. I know everyone here has met many people, as I certainly have, with desired skills that we need in this country but unfortunately, those skills are not recognised. These refugees, migrants and immigrants find it difficult get a job, let alone one they are actually qualified for and one that we need. All front-line staff need intercultural training to...

Seanad: National Parks: Special Educational Needs (23 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...flagship child development centre for vulnerable children. I have seen the designs and the centre has the potential to transform how Sensational Kids operates. Sensational Kids was relying on the immigrant investor programme, IIP, as a key source of funding to deliver the project, which was originally costed in 2021 at €9.6 million. In March 2022, it was deemed to be a suitable...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...between 2009 and four months ago. I would say it has been a lot more since. We should have a debate in the House on the inflation rate and foster parents. I want to raise the issue of the immigrant investor programme, IIP. I am dealing with a wonderful organisation in my area, Sensational Kids, which does incredible work in supporting vulnerable children with additional needs. It has...

Seanad: Reykjavik Summit of the Council of Europe: Statements (3 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...and aggression have horrific consequences in Ukraine itself, it is important to say that all of Europe has been impacted, through higher energy costs, the effects on our economy and the weaponisation of immigration. It is important that we take a very firm stand in regard to this. A dividing line is back on the map between democracies and the Russian Federation, a country which is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...we had in this country for such a long time was for President Biden. He is a returned Irishman whose grandparents emigrated from here. He is right to say that we need a bigger debate on emigration and immigration. Coming stealthily into our communities and society is a very far-right view on those that are coming to our shores for a myriad different reasons. We need to embrace all the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am sure that Blessington, being so close to Kildare, has many Army families within its ranks. I thank the Minister of State for his response. I accept that US immigration rules and operations are solely matters for the relevant US authorities. It can therefore be difficult to resolve issues from our end. I am pleased with the clarification he has given. I am glad it is possible to seek...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...will face after Tuesday’s vote. At Westminster on Tuesday, MPs voted to reinstate the requirement for a US-style visa waiver for non-Irish EU citizens crossing the Border as part of proposed British immigration laws. The imposition of any border control is concerning and we should do everything we can to keep a fully frictionless border on this island of Ireland.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Citizenship Applications (26 Mar 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for her work on the White Paper, which is very welcome. I impress on her and the Department the need to prioritise these essential healthcare workers, both those who are immigrants and those who are asylum seekers. We are not talking about many people. Asylum seekers represent a maximum of 800 people. These workers make a significant difference to the everyday lives...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...with the commitment in the programme for Government on ending direct provision. Coincidentally, I submitted a Commencement matter for today, which was not chosen, on ensuring that asylum seekers and immigrants working in the health service have an opportunity to have their citizenship applications fast-tracked. To give a brief example, last week, a lady in direct provision who is a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...is challenged head-on. Individual victims are all too aware of the reasons that they have been targeted. It is for the worst of reasons - the colour of a people's skin or their ethnicity, religion, immigration status, gender, age, disability, gender identity or sexuality. These reasons are diverse in nature but they all share one commonality. The victim of a hate crime has been...

Racism Affecting Ethnic Minorities in Ireland: Statements (12 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...the departure gates of airports to new lives far away from our tiny island home. If we lose sight of our history, we will forget who we are. We are a nation of adventurers, travellers, migrants, emigrants and immigrants, a nation of millions who were brave enough to leave their misery behind them and leave in search of a better life. Just as we left, so too have all the diverse...

Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (13 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...tendering process heightens concerns and must be addressed. Both asylum seekers and communities must feel they are being supported by the State. I want to refer to playing politics with asylum issues. Immigration has never been a party-political issue in Ireland, nor should it be, but sadly we see that creeping in. It is important that all discussions on the challenges that Ireland and...

Report on the Arts: Motion (7 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ..., which is based in Ballitore, have given to young people as they try to navigate their lives. They explore many topical societal issues, for example relating to sexuality, direct provision, immigration and domestic violence, through the form of theatre. I have been to see a number of productions in which young people have collaborated and improvised to use the arts as a means of...

Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Restoration of Birthright Citizenship) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Jan 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Friday Agreement and the draft withdrawal agreement. All of this must be carefully considered. As stated, Fianna Fáil supported a Labour Party Bill dealing with entitlement without reference to the immigration status of parents. Unfortunately, that Bill was not supported by the Government but it has progressed to Committee Stage. I hope that Bill will progress and that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Data (6 Nov 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 407. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for processing entry visas in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service; and the way in which this compares to 12 months ago. [45118/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Jul 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times for visa applications with the Irish naturalisation and immigration service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29754/18]

United States Immigration Policy: Motion (20 Jun 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Events in Texas in the US have rightly caused an outrage right across the world. We see and hear that almost 2,000 immigrant children have been separated from their parents in April and May according to the Department of Homeland Security, and there is no doubt that this zero tolerance policy from the Trump Administration will serve to increase business for human smugglers who will use the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Immigration Data (19 Jun 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 102. To ask the Taoiseach the current rates of immigration. [26688/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Data (29 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 199. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons held for immigrant offences in each of the years 2014 to 2017; the medical, legal and other rights afforded to immigration detainees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14723/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (29 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 200. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recently published report from Nasc Ireland, Immigration Detention and Border Control in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14724/18]