Results 921-940 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is a year since I had a Commencement matter on this topic. Part of the problem is that there was a different Minister from a different Department. That cuts to the heart of this issue, namely, that it cuts across too many Departments and one person is not taking charge of the industry and what needs to be done. I met Kieran Dunne and Larry Doran from County Kildare Growers and was...

Seanad: British Government Legacy Proposals: Motion (13 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend Senator Currie on tabling this motion. I am pleased to be a co-signatory, along with all my party colleagues. While I welcome this debate, it is sad that we must have it. We were all shocked on 14 July when we saw the proposals published by the British Government for a statute of limitations, which would effectively end criminal investigations and prosecutions in the case of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for affording me the opportunity to speak on the streetscape enhancement scheme in the Chamber. I thank the Minister of State for his attendance. I was pleased to see in September that Kildare County Council had been successful in securing funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the 2021 streetscape enhancement measure. I was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the extension. I noticed a press release an hour before I came in here announcing its granting. It is welcome, but the constant changing of the goalposts is not acceptable. My concern is that there were seven applicants from four vibrant areas. There should have been many more, and several people to whom I spoke did not submit an application because they knew that they would not...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I compliment the Leader on her leadership and work around the March for Maternity, which is to take place at 1 p.m. today. It is a really important matter that affects so many young mums and dads. We absolutely want to see a position where maternity treatment and care is the same as it was before Covid-19. We have spoken about it...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I echo the Cathaoirleach's words in regard to Senator Boyhan's passion and eloquence in terms of the issue at hand. There is no doubting the principle of what he is promoting and proposing. What Senator Boyhan has proposed is in the best interests of the people of Ireland. It is only right that we remember the work of the former Senator, Terry Leyden, in regard to this issue. I appreciate...

Seanad: Dyslexia Awareness Week: Statements (6 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for attending. I listened carefully to what she said. The key elements that stuck out for me were the focus on inclusion, full participation, having no barriers and additional supports. They are all incredibly important in helping young people achieve their full potential and ensuring they are able to go on and have a full life within their own community and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Work Permits (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am here today to speak for the owners of many small and medium sized businesses, particularly in Kildare. We all acknowledge that they have faced great adversity over the last 18 months and many of them are fighting for the survival of their businesses at present. I must acknowledge that government subsidies have been forthcoming and have stopped the financial bleeding for many...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Work Permits (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. I have confidence that he recognises the extent of the problem and I recognise that some measures have been put in place. Any of the companies that I had contact with tried Pathways to Work, but it just did not work for various reasons. They took on people and those people left. We have to recognise the reality of what is there. Maybe we can have a separate...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I compliment the Cathaoirleach on his pink tie. Many of us are wearing pink today because it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is important that we commemorate those who sadly died with cancer, celebrate with those who survived and thrived, support those undergoing treatment and, most important, encourage women and men to get checked, including through BreastCheck when they are called...

Seanad: Child and Family Agency (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I would like to thank the Minister and his Department for their work on this Bill. The whole school completion programme and the home school community liaison scheme are essential components of the education system through the work that is done throughout the country on those programmes. A lot of work is done with the whole school community in an integrated way, within all of the community,...

Seanad: Situation in Belarus: Statements (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for being here to listen to our deliberations and to discuss them with us. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the situation in Belarus on the record of the House because as we all acknowledge, the situation in Belarus challenges the democratic fabric that our societies and our Continent are built on. We have to show true solidarity with the Belarusian people in their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Vere Foster, who was a great educationalist and the first president of the INTO, said, "A nation's greatness depends on the education of its people". Never a truer word was said. While all of us who have done a leaving certificate exam and gone through different stages in life can acknowledge that the exam is a mere drop in the ocean compared with what students go on to learn in their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is always very refreshing to hear the voice of young people so I welcome Ms Neville and Ms Austick in particular. The USI submission referred to the need to establish and develop alternative pathways to education. We have engaged with Cork Life Centre at this committee. I am picking up on the INTO's point that no career guidance is given to students in special schools, which is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (5 Oct 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The ISSU's submission referred to the need to reform the leaving certificate curriculum to promote Irish as a living language. My colleague, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, has spoken about that at length. I ask Ms Neville to expand on this further and outline the type of teaching she thinks students would require to keep and maintain an interest in the Irish language and culture.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Participation of People with Disabilities in Political, Cultural, Community and Public Life: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will be brief because much of what I wanted to say has been covered in Councillor Bailey's response. I thank her for providing a perspective from three different generations and three different aspects of disability. I completely agree with her in supporting people with transport needs in travelling to important medical and health appointments. It is an area for which we have to look at...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Sep 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My colleague, Senator Chambers, and I spoke yesterday about "Women of Honour" and the need to take the group's stories seriously and act. This morning I wanted to mention the nine Army rangers who went to Afghanistan to help to bring our citizens home. I congratulate them on the work they did. Two officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs were present. We need to recognise the work...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament (22 Sep 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My apologies. We had organised a meeting with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland that I had to leave the Chamber to attend. This is a very good innovation in Seanad business. It is very good to have the opportunity to liaise with our MEPs. It is unfortunate we only have a 50% turnout of the MEPs the people have elected. I listened to the start of the debate with interest. There was...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Sep 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I commend my colleague, Senator Cassells, for his words, which were heartfelt and passionate. I welcome this amendment Bill to the house and I appreciate having the opportunity to speak on it. Stalking is more prevalent in Ireland than many of us may believe and it is an insidious and intimidating crime. I commend my colleague, Senator...