Results 301-320 of 5,820 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: Travelling into Dublin this morning, I listened to Chief Imam Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, chairperson of the Muslim council, speak about the horrific attack he underwent last Thursday evening. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I condemn the attack which shows a clear need for the hate legislation to come back before the House to be dealt with. I also mention the death of the Russian...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach. When I was 13, my parents bought me The Diary of A Young Girlby Anne Frank. It is something I have always treasured. It was the first time I really learned about man's inhumanity to man. Coincidentally, I was the same age as Anne Frank was when she started writing her diary. I felt I could identify with a lot of what she was talking about. Obviously, I could...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I propose: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Order of the House today, statements will conclude at 6.20 p.m. and No. 4 will be taken immediately thereafter.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will support the Order of Business as outlined by the Acting Leader. I commend the actions taken by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in working with Spain to write to the European Commissioner looking for an urgent review of the trade agreement with Israel on the basis of human rights abuses. Obviously, the EU-Israel association agreement is an important trade agreement, so it is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I wish to raise a number of points. The first relates to Sir Ernest Shackleton, about whom I have spoken about in these esteemed Houses previously. There are celebrations planned in London and Dublin this weekend for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who was born just outside Kilkea in...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend my county colleague, Senator Martin, on drafting this Bill and bringing it together. With his legal expertise and political experience, we have no doubt about the robustness of the Bill. It is important to have this debate and speak about domestic violence, which is a scourge not just in this country but across Europe and the world. As we know from statistics, during and after...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for being here. I appreciate that he is a very sincere and compassionate person, as well as a public representative. He has a deep understanding at heart of the issues we have here. However, I have to say that I am disappointed that the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Madigan, is not here. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for his response. I am still somewhat confused. I also have to point out that the allocations to the schools were issued at 11 p.m. on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, which is simply not good enough.In terms of the number of SET posts in line with each school's profile of need, if two children with complex needs apply for a place in a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for attending. We are nearing the end of a long process and there have been difficult contributions and difficult learning. A common thread is that the point at which someone dies is important but the way in which they die is equally important. We have all had experience of bereavements within our families and circles, and the difference between those who have a good...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Is that okay with the Chairperson? I have another committee meeting that I must attend.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair and I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for offering me his slot. I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. I also thank the students who were before the committee in the earlier session. Obviously, this is an important issue. Before I mention specifics, I wish to make a general point around the impact of Brexit on the figures mentioned. Before Brexit, I imagine that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Lá Fhéile Bhríde shona daoibh go léir. Today is a very special day, not just for Kildare people but for people right around the country and indeed, all over the world. There are 52 events taking place in 52 different embassies across the world today, which is wonderful. Brigid was very much known as a woman of peace and as a negotiator. There are many legends and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It costs €40 and is well worth it.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this matter. I appreciate having the opportunity to talk about something very positive, although I am looking for some more detail on its implementation. This is very important for commuters in south Kildare, Drogheda, Wicklow and parts of Meath. Since my election to the Oireachtas, I have advocated very strongly for better commuter...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Obviously, this is good news. It is certainly good news for many who will be using this. The Minister of State has clarified that it will probably be the end of September before this comes in. I know it will not be long coming. It is always a little painful when something is announced and you have to wait quite some time before it comes in. I do appreciate that the implementation comes...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice in welcoming our guests from Moyle Park College and the Isle of Man. My home village of Rathangan hosted the Isle of Man delegation for the Special Olympics held in Ireland in 2003. We built up a very strong relationship, so the delegation is incredibly welcome. I welcome the survey published yesterday on the best towns in the country to live in. Two towns in County Mayo,...

Seanad: Family Carers: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I regret that I cannot stay for the full debate because I have to go to the disability committee straight after this. There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more than their disability. I am a strong believer in that. I know many people with disabilities, including in my own family. Honouring their ability to be the person that they can be is so...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I would like to express my own deepest sympathy to the family of John Connor, and indeed, to the people of Roscommon, who were very well represented by John. I also express my sympathy to the Fine Gael Party. When you lose someone who is such a stalwart and a source of huge wisdom and experience for everybody, it is a huge loss. Following the Order of Business, we will be moving a motion...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We started this morning with Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee who, along with many of my colleagues, welcomed the news overnight that Stormont will be re-established. It is very important not only for the people of Northern Ireland but particularly for them. It is sad to think there were elections in May 2022 but Stormont has not sat since. Many communities and public services have been let...