Results 221-240 of 5,823 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for her response. I should also say that when a group of 40 caravans came on Sunday, the neighbouring guesthouse had to cancel all its bookings. People's livelihoods are being impacted. Yesterday, I called for a wider debate about illegal encampments, and not just in the Curragh. They happen across Kildare and every county. I think it is beyond time that we...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Admissions (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Senator. The Minister of State has one minute to respond. I would also like to welcome members of the Tipperary spina bifida association who have just joined us.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Admissions (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. My apologies to Deputy Cahill, who I did not see over to my right. He is one of the hardest working Deputies that we have here and is very welcome. We turn now to the third matter which is in the name of Senator Mícheál Carrigy. I understand that the Minister of State is taking this Commencement matter also. Senator Carrigy has four minutes.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Broadcasting Sector (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State has four minutes.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Night-time Economy (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State is staying with us for the fourth Commencement matter. We really appreciate her time this morning.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Night-time Economy (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Queen of Peace youth group from Bray, whose members are here as guests of Deputy Brady.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined. I spoke yesterday about the bravery of Bláthnaid Raleigh. I have to mention her again because when I was driving in this morning, I heard her interview on RTÉ Radio One. It was a very compelling interview. I drove in and stayed in the car to listen to the end of it. I do not mind admitting that I shed tears listening to her. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: First, I wish to pay homage to Bláthnaid Raleigh, who is such a brave and courageous woman. I was watching her on media over the weekend. Having been subjected to an absolutely horrific attack, she is now giving many victims a voice. She is using her voice for change and gave up her anonymity to ensure that the perpetrator of the violent crime against her could be named. She...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The point I would like to make regards the Defence Forces. We now know that there have been 69 perpetrators of crime. That is 0.8% of serving members. The other 99.2% have, as far as we know, unblemished reputations. We had the Dublin Pride parade last weekend, I was proud to be at it, but I thought it was very wrong that the Dublin Pride organisers withdrew their invitation to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of welcome for the ambassador. My nephew did an internship in Luxembourg last year for six months and loved it, particularly the fact that there is free travel. He could not get over that. It is something we would certainly love to have here. A gentleman called Myles Wickham from Newbridge was in the Public Gallery yesterday. Myles was here because I had arranged a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I want to object and to say that I feel amendment No. 12 is completely wrong. It is gendered and discriminatory. While Senator Mullen was speaking about single men not being allowed to undertake surrogacy, he also mentioned gay men in a partnership or marriage. One of my neighbours in County Kildare is Brian Dowling, who is well known. He and his husband Arthur already have a daughter...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Approach to Day Services (Resumed): Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I apologise for being late. I was held up at another meeting. I have some experience of St. Michael’s House from the Special Olympics. It has a really good programme. I worked as a volunteer with the Special Olympics at one point and then with the 2023 World Games with Mary Davis who used to work with St. Michael’s House. It runs a very good programme, on which I commend...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Approach to Day Services (Resumed): Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Reynolds. The person-centred plans are important. I do not know how often they are made or reviewed but I am sometimes concerned that while the PCPs are done and actions are recorded - I am not saying this about St. Michael's House, but from experience with other organisations - sometimes the agreed actions are not carried out and nothing happens until the next PCP. How often...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Approach to Day Services (Resumed): Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I fully appreciate that. In the setting of the goals there must be an understanding of the capability of the individual and other circumstances that might help or prevent the goals being realised. The conditions must be put in place between the family and service provider to enable the goals to be reached, for example, if a person wants to take swimming lessons or to get an ATM card to use....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Approach to Day Services (Resumed): Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes, and on what they can achieve as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Approach to Day Services (Resumed): Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I fully agree that it should be about the person but in instances where, for example, there might not be public transport, there needs to be family involvement to realise the goals on a practical level. It is sometimes about overcoming those hurdles and ensuring that all of those areas are taken into account. I thank Ms Molloy for her response.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I got to meet some of the students as I was coming in. It was lovely to get a chance to say hello and now to formally welcome them to the Seanad. I hope they have an interesting day and learn a lot. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Protocol No. 21 opt-in to regulations on a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on international protection, asylum and migration,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We started this morning with Senator Catherine Ardagh, seeking permission to take No. 10 on the Order Paper before No. 1. I grant leave to introduce the Bill. The Senator mentioned that about 60 women a year do not have the opportunity to postpone maternity leave because they are suffering from cancer. As the Senator said, the issue has been raised many times but nothing has been done....