Results 301-320 of 5,583 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: He is very welcome in our county and we acknowledge that. The measures that he is proposing are important and it is about protecting victims and protecting survivors from re-victimisation and re-traumatisation. Allowing the court to prohibit the accused from personally cross-examining victims and children when they are giving evidence during a trial is so important. It is quite barbaric...

Seanad: Teacher Supply and School Places: Statements (15 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister. I attest to the Cathaoirleach's words about how supportive she is of the Seanad and how readily available she is to come to the Chamber to speak to us on pertinent education issues. She always begins her contributions by thanking teachers and school communities for the incredible work they do. That is important and much appreciated. Our teaching community is...

Seanad: Teacher Supply and School Places: Statements (15 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to say that these areas are hugely important to the people they represent.

Seanad: Teacher Supply and School Places: Statements (15 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I propose a suspension until 6.30 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waterways Issues (14 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate that the Cathaoirleach has selected this matter and that the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, is here to take the Commencement matter. When I was mayor of Kildare, I had the opportunity to launch the consultation on the proposed blueway and how that would have an impact on Kildare. I have taken a keen interest ever since in the development of the blueway and how people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waterways Issues (14 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. Certainly, the development of the blueways and our waterways is hugely important, especially in inland Ireland and in my case, in Kildare. I already mentioned we should have additional signage with directions and distance in miles and I ask the Minister of State to bring that request back. We also need good mapping and to make it widely available both online...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: When anyone in Kildare hears of any death of somebody in the Defence Forces, we all have an intake of breath because so many members of the Defence Forces live in Kildare. While always acknowledging that somebody somewhere has been left bereft and bereaved, there is always a tiny sigh of relief when it is not somebody one knows. Over the weekend, we heard of the tragic death of a member of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We should, therefore, note that day as well.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Thanks to my cousin, Ed O'Loughlin, I became aware over the weekend that progress has been made to repatriate the body of a County Kildare native, Patrick Sarsfield, who led the Jacobite army during the Siege of Limerick city in 1691. We have many Sarsfields teams and one of those, of course, is Newbridge in County Kildare. Patrick Sarsfield was buried just outside Liège in Belgium....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, for making himself available to take it. I add my voice to the welcome given to the school group in the Visitors Gallery. It is lovely to see them in the place where democracy is at work and policy decisions are made. In the future, we may seem some of them sitting in this House and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am sure that Blessington, being so close to Kildare, has many Army families within its ranks. I thank the Minister of State for his response. I accept that US immigration rules and operations are solely matters for the relevant US authorities. It can therefore be difficult to resolve issues from our end. I am pleased with the clarification he has given. I am glad it is possible to seek...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I thank everybody who joined in the St. Brigid's Day festival over the weekend. It was incredible to see the energy, not just in County Kildare but all around Ireland, and indeed outside the country as well. There was a special mass in St. Bride's Church in London, which was lovely to see on RTÉ television the other...

Seanad: Moving Towards Zero Tolerance of Violence against Women: Statements (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris, for being with us in the Chamber to discuss this very important issue. As we all know and acknowledge, violence against women is endemic not only in Ireland but around the world. It has to be seen as a human rights issue. We have seen high-profile murders in recent years that have brought these issues front and centre. They have stopped society in its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Raising Awareness of the Lived Experience of Congregated Settings: Discussion (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I apologise that, because of a conflicting schedule, I did not get to hear all the witnesses' presentations, but I felt a number of emotions during what I did listen to. I felt inspired by all the actions Mr. Alford has taken in his life to ensure he has control and that he finally managed to get to be in a position he wanted. I also felt encouraged by the professionals who are attending...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Raising Awareness of the Lived Experience of Congregated Settings: Discussion (9 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their response. I agree there should be a person-centred approach in how we best support people in their choices and in what suits them. Ms O'Connell mentioned enablement. I totally agree that it is about enabling, empowering and listening to voices such as Mr. Alford's about the lived experience of having to fight the system to get to where he is. It occurs to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Textbooks (8 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I very much appreciate that this Commencement matter has been selected and that the Minister is here in person to take it. As Fianna Fáil spokesperson for education in the Seanad, I am very proud of my party's record in education, particularly during the Minister's tenure. She has dealt with some very difficult issues and some of the themes she has addressed and some of the actions she...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Textbooks (8 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is good news. This gesture – it is more than a gesture – is absolutely appreciated by school communities around the country. It is good news that the Minister has clarified that schools will be able to nominate their preferred provider. Most of the independent bookshops and shops already have arrangements in place with schools. There was a concern that they would be...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (8 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: At the end of the Order of Business I will table a motion for the expressions of sympathy by the House. It is important that we express our support and solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian people as what has happened in that region is beyond belief. The death toll has reached over 11,000 now and it is felt that the final number could reach as high as 20,000 deaths. Our thoughts, prayers...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to conclude at 5 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, all Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given no less than eight minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I accept Senator Martin’s amendment to take No. 19 before No. 1 so that we can take Second Stage of his Bill next week. It has been lovely to listen to all the heartwarming connections with Niamh Bhreathnach. She was a special person who had a special place in life and there is no doubt that this transcended parties. As Chair of the Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus, when we...