Results 1-20 of 139 for speaker:Laura Harmon

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I also extend my sympathies to the family of the late Michael Calnan, a former Labour councillor and Senator. He was also a cousin and mentor to the former TD and Senator Michael McCarthy. I extend my condolences to his family, including his daughter, Julie, and his son, Michael. I will also raise the issue of presidential voting rights. We have a very important election on Friday....

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025: Second Stage (22 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I welcome the Minister. I am proud to be part of the cross-party group with Senators Stephenson, Noonan and Cosgrove. I commend Senator Stephenson's Bill. It is a very simple, progressive Bill. It is extremely disappointing that, again, we are seeing a pattern from the Government of introducing a timed amendment, effectively kicking the can down the road when it comes to such an important...

Committee on Disability Matters: Participation in Community Life for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (22 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I thank all here for their valuable and insightful contributions. This is an important discussion. I wanted to ask all of our guests if they have examples of international best practice or countries that they think are doing this very well in terms of the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport.

Committee on Disability Matters: Participation in Community Life for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (22 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: On the roll-outs for the inclusion cycling centre, are there plans to expand that outside Dublin, for example, to Cork or other areas?

Committee on Disability Matters: Participation in Community Life for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (22 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I have some final questions for the GAA. Training for volunteers in terms of inclusivity was mentioned. How will that work on a day-to-day basis in how they can improve inclusivity in their actions? On the EDI strategy, what organisations are being consulted as part of that in terms of stakeholders?

Seanad: Higher Education: Statements (21 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I wish to share time with Senator Cosgrove.

Seanad: Higher Education: Statements (21 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I welcome the Minister. It is welcome to have this discussion in the House this evening. I want to start with a positive story. There was an article in The Echo today about a woman called Annette Donoghue from Cork and she has gone to college at the age of 81 to study Irish heritage and culture in Cork College of Further Education and Training. That was a powerful story and demonstrated...

Seanad: Cost of Childcare: Motion (21 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. It is a really important and timely debate that we are having on childcare. I welcome and support the Sinn Féin motion. It is really hard for people working in the sector to stay in the sector. My friend and colleague, Councillor Ciara O'Connor, who works in Cork city, left the profession that she deeply loves because she could not afford to work...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: Yes. I propose to share time with Senator Stephenson.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: Tá fáilte roimh an Taoiseach. Tá sé an-tábhachtach a chloisteáil go bhfuil an Rialtas ag tacú leis an nGaeilge. In relation to housing, as the Taoiseach knows, more than 16,000 people are homeless in Ireland, with 5,000 children homeless. I believe housing is a huge threat to our economy. It is affecting how people progress in their lives. In Cork...

Committee on Disability Matters: Autonomy and Integrity for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I thank all our guests for their really valuable and informative contributions. It is a really important and timely discussion we are having in the committee this morning. It is an historic opportunity to move away from an archaic culture of control to one of respect, autonomy and choice. I will direct my questions primarily to the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Apprenticeships: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: My initial questions are for QQI. Representatives from unions, ICTU and student unions appeared before us last week. They raised concerns that consortium-type apprenticeships might lack the same robust governance we see in craft apprenticeships. Could the witnesses expand on how standards can be met so that all apprenticeships have the same levels of checks and balances? I have a wider...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Apprenticeships: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: It is great to hear from all the witnesses this morning. I thank them for their contributions. It is important to hear the different perspectives of each of the unions and the person experience of apprenticeships. I have a number of questions. We have had quite a full discussion so far. There is a housing crisis in the country at the minute. There has been a lot of discourse about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Apprenticeships: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: Following on from that, I hear the points made. Pay is obviously a huge issue, ensuring that apprenticeships are paid properly, with at least the minimum wage. Is there a country that does this best in the class? I know there is a lot of talk about the German model and their education system, where they look at this earlier at second level and in terms of where people are going. Is there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Apprenticeships: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: The student representatives mentioned how we can diversify those who access apprenticeships. Would they like to expand on that? We have had some discussion this morning about the emphasis placed on university education versus apprenticeships. I see that as an issue. Ultimately it should be about what somebody wishes to do with their lives and what they are skilled at and about valuing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Apprenticeships: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: It was about those the witnesses represent. Is there an increase in apprenticeships?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Apprenticeships: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I have some final questions. We talked a lot about promotion of apprenticeships and that there needs to be more work done there. What does that look like in an ideal world? How do we really promote it, and at what levels?

Seanad: Budget 2026 (Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation): Statements (8 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I now call on Senator Cosgrove. I believe she is sharing time with Senator Noonan. They have four minutes each. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Budget 2026 (Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation): Statements (8 Oct 2025)

Laura Harmon: I welcome our guests in the Gallery. I see Deputy Gary Gannon is also there. They are all very welcome.