Results 5,821-5,840 of 5,853 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Committee on European Union Affairs: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank all who have presented on this important topic. We must not forget David Donoghue, of course, because Ireland and Kenya really steered the formulation of the 15 SDGs and did sterling work in this regard. The points Mr. McGeady has just made on how we make the SDGs relatable to everybody, so schoolchildren and councillors in their meeting rooms know what we are talking about, are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I extend my welcome to the distinguished guests. Times are difficult across the world and there is a lot of doom and gloom, some of it merited and some of it not. We all need moments in our lives where we get to witness joy and to see creativity and music. It was incredible to hear so many people speaking about tuning into Glastonbury over the weekend. My youngest brother was there. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending EU Regulation 2024/1348 as regards the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at Union level; No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senator Rabbitte raised the issue of CPOs, in particular those relating to the N63 road. I was quite shocked to hear the details that an arrangement was apparently made in 2014, but a landlord has not been paid since. That raises a lot of questions because the individual has suffered a loss of income. As the Senator said, that has caused a lot of stress. We need clarity on CPOs. They...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 (1 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Keown and Mr. Smyth for being here. I honestly believe that we are all on the same page here. We want to have robust legislation that will make an impact and show the way for other European countries to follow. I also pay tribute to Senator Frances Black. I know we are not discussing the Senator's Bill but she put a lot of work into her occupied territories Bill and led the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 (1 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Smyth. I think it is something we need to explore if at all possible. I note the Tánaiste has said he would be open to services being included, obviously pending the advice from the Attorney General. The timeline in this regard is very important. I note that Mr. Smyth said an analysis is ongoing now of the impact on the Irish economy should this Bill go through. Would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 (1 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Keown. Finally, how would customs officers enforce the ban and what penalties would there be in respect of its violation? I am referring to what is in front of us now, the goods aspect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have witnessed Senator Black’s passion and compassion over recent years since she introduced this in 2018. Things were very serious then but have escalated to an unbelievable situation now so the question I would ask is “If not now, when?” This has to be an absolute priority. The Senator spoke of her grandchildren, looking into their eyes and thinking of the children...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We always have to have hope.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Senator for that. It is important that we have a twin-track approach and that we try to bring European countries with us but as the Senator says, there is an opportunity to show legal and moral leadership on that and I totally agree with that. I thank Mr. O’Neill for his very powerful testimony. I know Christian Aid has been involved in Palestine, in the West Bank,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes. I have been there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We have to be mindful of the impact. Somebody was quick off the mark, and rightly so because it important we learn about negative impacts on our SMEs. I had the opportunity to engage with Senator Black and Mr. O'Neill. I have a few questions for Mr. Liston on his statements, both the one members have in front of us and the one he made. What response does he have to the Attorney General's...

Committee on European Union Affairs: Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Ambassador of Denmark to Ireland (2 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is a pleasure to have the ambassador here and to engage on the next EU Presidency, which comes at a challenging time. We in Ireland will be watching closely because we will be taking over afterwards. I thank the ambassador for his comprehensive statement. It is good to see the two priorities he has outlined. I will put three questions to him. He talked about advancing the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Arts Centres (8 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. My question concerns the development of the Riverbank Arts Centre and the new Kildare branch library. In the late 1990s, I was involved with a group of like-minded people who lobbied for an arts centre in Newbridge. Eventually, the Riverbank Arts Centre opened its doors in 2001 as County Kildare's arts centre. The centre has given great...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Arts Centres (8 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: With the greatest of respect to the Minister of State, I might as well tear up this response because there is absolutely nothing in it on development and particularly on River Bank Arts Centre. I am sure the Minister of State agrees that it makes far more sense to be able to have the full jigsaw, so to speak, happening at the same time. Meanwhile, there is €1 million unspent years...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is fine. It is no problem at all.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will first comment on what our esteemed Senator from County Meath said. She only mentioned one Minister but I remind Senator Nelson Murray that it was in fact her Meath colleague, the former Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, who introduced this legislation that is now difficult for the Government to deal with. Regarding the subcommittee, I also remind her that there are three...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice to the welcome to our distinguished guests. This is the people’s parliament and we are always delighted to have the opportunity to welcome guests to the Chamber. First, I offer my congratulations to the Blaney family. There was a civic reception held in Donegal last Friday for the Blaney family, of which Niall is a Member of this House and his brother Liam is a...