Results 181-200 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I engaged with him quite a bit over the summer on the NTA's delay in implementing the fair fares and the new agreed structure that is now Government policy. I am quite hopeful that the Minister of State will soon have positive news for us and the commuters who have been dependent on this fare change. I look forward to that happening. Turning to the meat in the sandwich on the Curragh...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I could say much more about this issue but I am very willing to listen to what the Minister of State has to say. I hope he has some positive news for us.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Great.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for agreeing we would meet possibly as early as next week about the fair fares, which I appreciate. I thank him for his response on behalf of the Tánaiste. I am heartened by the response in that the Department officials are engaging with the Chief State Solicitor to identify legal avenues that can be pursued to address the illegal encampments in the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. On behalf of the people of Kildare, can I say how pleased we are to have had €8.3 million in sports grants awarded to the county late last night? It is really important news. Our sports centres and volunteers are the lifeblood of our community. On behalf of those who may have been disappointed at being invalidated for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome everybody back. I think this is going to be an interesting term, if not an exciting one as well. I extend my sincere sympathies to the family of Robert Deegan, who was killed in battle last Thursday in Ukraine. Robert lived in Athy but he spent his youth in Newbridge, living in The Oaks where he went to the local Patrician Secondary School. I knew Robert. He was involved in the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined. It was good news to hear over the weekend that the HSE recruitment freeze was ending today. This is very important, not only for the people who need the services of the HSE but also for HSE staff. There will be an opportunity to recruit new staff and regularise 2,000 existing positions. It is also important to note the expansion of the flu...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thought he was afraid I leaving him out. It is important because it is our last week to mention the ongoing serious situation in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire proposals on the table and ongoing negotiations, we saw an expansion of the Israeli military operation in Gaza which resulted in the deaths of dozens and the destruction of healthcare, education and humanitarian facilities. We have...

Seanad: Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My time is up. I have plenty more to say.

Seanad: Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend the Bill and support the principle of it. Human relationships are complex and many young people are bombarded with information. A lot of it is information they do not seek out and this is because they have smartphones and are accessing the Internet. Many online and mostly unregulated sources do not provide them with the most accurate and appropriate information. We know a lot of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I welcome Senator Bradley. She is incredibly welcome. It is a great honour to be nominated to the Seanad Chamber. It is lovely to see her family and fiancé with her. When we became Members of this Seanad it was during Covid and we were in the Convention Centre Dublin. We could not have family or friends with us. I urge Senator Bradley to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair. I welcome the Minister of State and the officials. I suppose there are four different aspects that I will ask about. First, in relation to the EPSEN Act, as the Minister of State will be aware, the committee has recommended a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN Act. I would appreciate any feedback or update in relation to any...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: In terms of those who were waiting, the Minister of State rightly says there are approximately 4,500 in CHO 7, which, when one thinks of 10,000 across the country, shows that CHO 7 is a significant laggard in terms of getting AONs. I would be aware of and have worked with some families who, not being able to access anything because they did not have the AON, scrimped, saved and borrowed to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sustainable Travel Operations Update: National Transport Authority (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senator Dooley who has given me his time. In its statement, the NTA referenced its responsibility "for the provision of an integrated, accessible public transport system." I always say that affordability has to come into that. Public transport should be integrated, affordable and accessible. I will come back to the integrated piece. The issue of affordability has been raised. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sustainable Travel Operations Update: National Transport Authority (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It would have been very bad practice not to respond in an open and honest way regarding this. Where is the internal accountability within the NTA to deliver on targets and implement change? Surely, it has to be somewhere.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sustainable Travel Operations Update: National Transport Authority (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The roll-out of the fairer fares strategy, which is a key element of Government strategy to encourage more people to use public transport, is essentially being stalled. That was a very poor justification for it in my view. Ms Graham mentioned the budget. Was a specific budget allocated to the NTA under budget 2024 to cover the cost of implementing the fairer fares strategy in quarter 3 of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sustainable Travel Operations Update: National Transport Authority (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Graham for her response. The planned fares would result in a fare drop of 48% in Newbridge and 35% in Kildare town. If it is not a budgetary issue, what cost reduction can be offered to the commuters I represent who are being failed by the implementation of this plan? I put it to Ms Graham that from 1 September, an equivalent fare reduction should be put in place in those areas...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sustainable Travel Operations Update: National Transport Authority (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I hear what Mr. Ryan is saying but I genuinely do not accept it. There must be a better way to support the cost of commuting for commuters. We all know that very many commuters bypass the stations in Newbridge and Kildare to go to Sallins where there is a much cheaper fare. The car parks there are beyond capacity so we need this to be put in place. My next question goes back to...