Results 761-780 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the opportunity to be able to speak briefly. I had to run in and out of another committee meeting where a quorum was required. I apologise for that. I thank the Minister for taking the time to meet the committee today. We have been very clear in all our deliberations that we need to have a cross-governmental approach. We cannot have a situation where the challenges and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will be late anyway, but I will catch up with the Minister at some stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) (No. 2) Order 2022: Motion (24 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, was to be here. I believe there is a ministerial visit ongoing. I wish the technological university all the very best. I am familiar with some of the work of Carlow and Waterford institutes of technology. There is a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom there that will no doubt shape and guide the new technological university. I echo our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pharmacy Services (23 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, for choosing this Commencement matter and I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte, for coming to the Chamber to discuss it. Earlier this week, I met some pharmacy owners in my constituency in Kildare and I was quite shocked by what they told me about the major issues they are facing in terms of having pharmacists in their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pharmacy Services (23 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. I have no doubt she understands the position. She understands how critical the issue is. It is good to hear about the project that is in place and the scoping exercise but, honestly, it is far too late for that. This is a crisis and if the Government does not act, we will see community pharmacies cutting hours and not being open at crucial times. In rural...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I second the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I congratulate the Cross and Passion secondary school in Kilcullen, County Kildare on having been acclaimed as the first ADHD-friendly school in Ireland. I commend the dedication of the teachers and staff who have committed a lot of time to expand their own knowledge of ADHD and learn strategies to support students with ADHD...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Humanitarian Support for Ukrainian Refugees: Statements (23 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister to the House and wish him well in the mammoth task he is co-ordinating on behalf of the Government and the State. There is no doubt the people of Ukraine continue to suffer under the tyrannical and dictatorial actions of Putin. The scenes keep going from bad to worse every day. We see them on our telephones and television screens and in the newspapers. It is...

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I know how committed he is to this topic. When he was a member of the Opposition he spoke on this a lot and I know he has put in a lot of work on it since becoming a Minister of State. This is an important debate and any addiction is difficult and tough. Addictions often have far-reaching consequences for individuals and their families and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Disadvantage (10 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have just come from a committee meeting. I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this matter because it is something I feel very strongly about. I also thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond to it. I had submitted this Commencement matter before yesterday's announcement and did not have the information or knowledge I have now following the announcement. I was very...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Disadvantage (10 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am aware of the seven schools in County Kildare and appreciate the Minister of Education's inclusion of them in the system. I contacted the Minister's office yesterday to say I wanted this issue addressed in the Commencement matter after it had been selected, so I am disappointed there is not a response back specifically on that school. I appreciate that is not the Minister of State's...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I start by wishing everybody a very happy St. Patrick's Day next week. This is our last sitting day before that. It is wonderful to have a day where people throughout the world celebrate our country, our nation and our people. I am really pleased that the Taoiseach has committed to using all the diplomatic engagements that will...

Seanad: Proposal for a Council Decision on Hate Speech and Hate Crime: Motion (10 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Seanad: Proposal for a Council Decision on Hate Speech and Hate Crime: Motion (10 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Free speech is not free speech if there is a cost and a victim at the end of it. In saying that, I am responding to Senator Keogan's remarks. Hate crimes are message crimes. They are intended to target entire communities. The victims are targeted because of their identity. The impact goes beyond the individual. There is also an impact on communities and on society. We need to send a...

Seanad: International Women's Day 2022: Statements (9 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister on this important day. He takes a particular interest in the matter. The theme of this year's International Women's Day is breaking the bias. During the past two years under Covid, breaking the bias would have referred to our unfinished business of advancing gender equality, combating gender-based violence and addressing the gender pay gap. All of these are...

Seanad: Brain Health and Dementia: Statements (9 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Acting Chairperson and the Leader of the House for giving us time to discuss this very important subject. I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to attend this incredibly important debate. I add my voice of welcome to Deputy Devlin, who plays a key part in the all-party committee, and to Ms Emma Balmaine and Ms Siobhán Grant, together with Elaine and Norma, from...

Seanad: Brain Health and Dementia: Statements (9 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call on Senator Blaney, who has three minutes.

Seanad: Brain Health and Dementia: Statements (9 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senator Blaney. I now move to our penultimate speaker, the Leader of the House, Senator Doherty, whom I believe is sharing her time with Senator Ward. She will take three minutes and Senator Ward will take two minutes. Is that agreed by the House? Agreed.

Seanad: Brain Health and Dementia: Statements (9 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leader of the House very much. We know her words are very heartfelt. We are with her in spirit. We understand what she is going through and absolutely empathise. I thank her for agreeing to give us this time in the Seanad because it is also within her gift.