Results 1-20 of 5,756 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Today is a special day. It marks the 80th birthday of a Kildare icon who is known nationally and internationally, namely Christy Moore. He is somebody we are very proud to call a son of Kildare. There is no doubt that his songs have been the soundtrack to so many of our lives and tell us stories with honesty, humour and great heart. I thank Christy on his special day for the music and the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements to mark Europe Day 2025, to be taken at 12 noon and to conclude at 1.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Our opener this morning was Senator Shane Curley, who spoke about the issue of waste and surplus energy due to the lack of storage, while at the same time we have fuel poverty. It is really good to hear about the pilot scheme in Galway relating to the energy cloud initiative and that 150 families benefit from this. The Senator is correct to say that Deputy...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Deputy.

Seanad: Europe Day 2025: Statements (1 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of welcome to Deputy Cahill and his guests from beautiful Kerry. I was lucky to be there about three weeks ago when I enjoyed an all-too-short visit. I am thankful that this debate has been tabled. It is great to have the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs in the Chamber. It is a privilege to be able to address this matter on behalf of Fianna...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On this fine sunny morning, I am mindful to think of the Punchestown racing festival which started yesterday and brings so much into the economy of Kildare. I know that there is a great welcome for everybody who goes there. Well done to David Mongey, the chair of the board, and Conor O'Neill, the manager. Anyone who wants tips should listen to Councillor Daragh Fitzpatrick on Kfm every...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have not put a bet on so I genuinely do not know. There are two issues I wish to raise with the Leader. The first is Intel in north Kildare, which also provides employment for much of south Kildare and many surrounding counties. It has given so much to the country. Of course, Kildare County Council depends an awful lot on its rates as well. Some 4,900 people work there. There is much...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Directly after the Order of Business we will be moving a motion of condolence on the passing of His Holiness the Pope. My party, Fianna Fáil, wants to be associated with that. We acknowledge the late Pope's humility and compassion and, above all, his great empathy and understanding. Since we met just before Easter, we received an e-mail from the Clerk, Martin Groves, to say he was...

Seanad: International Trade and International Relations: Statements (3 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Tánaiste is very welcome to the Seanad. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I wish him well in his brief, which has suddenly become more challenging. Commuting to the House this morning, I looked at people on their daily commute to their places of study and work, or wherever they were going. I genuinely wondered whether this is a moment in time where there is a before and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (2 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here to answer this question. My query relates to Ballymore Eustace, a beautiful small town in County Kildare between Naas and Blessington. It has a population of 1,700 people and is growing all the time. In fact, it has the highest number of older people in Kildare, according to the most recent census. The issue I raise relates to the lack of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (2 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. He stated that additional emergency appointments are provided in Ballymore Eustace as required, with appointments also available at the Blessington practice. My understanding is that additional emergency appointments are not being given.There are no same-day appointments in the Blessington practice. Some people have had to wait weeks for...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (2 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister to the Seanad. We are pleased to have the opportunity to talk to him about some of the most pressing issues in our communities and throughout the country. I join my colleagues in wishing the Minister well with the arduous task ahead of him. He has hit the ground running and I have no doubt he will continue to work 24-7 on this difficult area with ingenuity and with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Apr 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business. I, too, wish Jeremy well. I had the opportunity to do so outside the Chamber. Of course, I wish George well too. He has big shoes to follow in terms of the excellent work that Jeremy has done. Today is a good news day for commuters from Kildare and Newbridge because the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, announced that the fair fares scheme will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding establishment of the Seanad Select Committee on Subsidiarity (European Union Legislative Scrutiny), to be taken without debate on conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion regarding the restoration of Bills to the Order Paper, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I totally endorse all the comments that have been made about Aisling and I absolutely approve of the suggestion by Senator Wilson that we invite Aisling back for a day to give us the opportunity to acknowledge her and show that we value and appreciate all the work she has done. Senator Kennelly spoke about the lack of respite care in Kerry and about St. Francis school in Beaufort and the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: If that has not come up yet, I would suggest that she puts it down again. It is clear that engagement with the stakeholders is needed. We will write to the Minister for Education to say that. Senator Gallagher raised his grave concern about the ambulance service in Monaghan. He explained how, this week, 16 12-hour shifts were not covered and it will possibly be 19 next week. There is...

Seanad: Seanad Select Committee on Subsidiarity (European Union Legislative Scrutiny): Motion (27 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders- (1) the Committee standing established under Standing Order 125 shall be called the Seanad Select Committee on Subsidiarity (European Union Legislative Scrutiny), and shall consist of twelve members, of whom five shall constitute a quorum; (2) the Select Committee shall meet where necessary to perform the following functions: ...

Seanad: Restoration of Bills to the Seanad Order Paper: Motion (27 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 180 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Bills which lapsed by reason of the Seanad General Election, January, 2025, and are set out in the Schedule to this motion, shall be restored to the Order Paper at the stage specified in the Schedule below: SCHEDULE Bill Title: To be restored...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2025: Motion (27 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for being here and I wish her well in her new position. I have no doubt that she will serve with the same energy, enthusiasm and integrity as she did in her previous portfolio. I welcome this important debate. The Fianna Fáil group supports the motion. I pay tribute to the Helping Irish Hosts organisation, including Angie Gough, Aideen Gough and Jill Robinson,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (26 Mar 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this Commencement matter. Last August, the then Minister of State with special responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, launched the national swimming strategy. This was the first such swimming strategy. Its purpose was to show the determination to make swimming a key focus in respect of giving everybody the opportunity to learn to...