Results 5,261-5,280 of 5,762 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Policy (14 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 78. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has an option to exercise exceptional discretion on family reunification decisions for non-refugee and naturalised citizen applications; and if so, the number of times in each year since 2011 that this discretion has been exercised. [40333/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 33. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to develop lands in the area of the Defence Forces training centre on the Curragh to enhance relationships with the local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39823/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The fact that the Curragh is home to the Irish Defence Forces is a matter of great pride for the people of Kildare. We appreciate the great history attached to it, particularly this year when all the personnel received commemorative medals. However, the Defence Forces training centre is not a military base in isolation; it is home to a community that was once full of thriving businesses,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: With the greatest of respect to the Minister of State and the forum, there are many more areas that the forum needs to consider. I acknowledge that there are really wonderful community groups within the camp and surrounding areas. The personnel of the Defence Forces engage with them, particularly in regard to the Curragh PRIDE resource centre. I was delighted to have some of the ladies...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate that and I will take the Minister of State up on his kind offer. There are a number of shops and businesses in the camp that are empty and no longer of use. It is very unfortunate that these have closed and have now become very unsightly. We need to consider a regeneration programme for the Curragh. The Minister of State has assured us here on a number of occasions that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which partnerships have been encouraged between the Defence Forces and the private sector in the County Kildare area with a view to increased research, innovation and enterprise development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39822/16]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Agencies Data (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 64. To ask the Taoiseach the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39352/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Early School Leavers (13 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the examination of additional supports to groups working with early school leavers that has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39408/16]

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am absolutely delighted to hear this news. For the Kildare people who use the services and their families, as well as the staff at Lakeview unit, this is really good news. The fact that the physical design will be updated - making it a brighter building and a better place for people to be treated in and to work in - is also very welcome, as is the addition of eight new units. I am really...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: This is an area with which the Acting Chairman, Deputy Durkan, is very familiar as it is in his constituency. I thank the Minister of State for being here for the debate. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, visited Naas General Hospital recently. I know this through social media and newspapers. It is regrettable that other Deputies in the constituency were not invited, because...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests. We have in attendance our youngest stakeholder yet, Ms Jane Hayes-Nally, who is very welcome. We are delighted to have the input of second level students. I welcome Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, chairman of the governing authority at NUI Galway, Professor John Hegarty from the Royal Irish Academy, Dr. Catherine Day, chairman of the governing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mrs. McGuinness. I should have acknowledged that she is a former Member of the House also, having been a Member of the Seanad for many years. She gave great and distinguished service to the Seanad. I call Professor John Hegarty from the Royal Irish Academy, RIA, to make his opening statement. I understand the statement has been circulated to all members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Professor Hegarty. I now call Dr. Catherine Day who is representing UCC. We are privileged to have her with us following her long career in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe. I am sure she has seen many examples of very good practice throughout the education system across Europe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Day for her presentation. Members can ask questions and indicate whether they want clarifications on anything that has been said by the first three contributors but first I will address a few questions to Mrs. Justice McGuinness. I noted from her submission that she agreed with the idea that the funding system should involve the State's students and employers. She called for an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Day for her comprehensive response to the queries we raised. I call Professor Hegarty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Professor Hegarty. I now call Mrs. Justice McGuinness.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mrs. Justice McGuinness for her comprehensive responses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We are certainly all facing into a lot of uncertainty as a result of the impact. One thing is absolutely clear and that is the need for Ireland to invest in its third level strategy going forward for the benefit not only of students but society, business and families. We will now go to our three remaining witnesses. The first is Ms Annie Hoey, the president of the USI. We have Ms Hoey's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I ask Mr. Kieran McNulty, who is the president of the students union at TCD, to make his contribution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Dec 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Kieran McNulty for his contribution. I ask Ms. Jane Hayes-Nally, president of the Irish Second-Level Students Union, to make her contribution. It is very important we hear the representative voice of the students who hopefully will be going on to third level in the next few years. Jane, you are very welcome.