Results 3,581-3,600 of 5,761 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Motion (7 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Today is a good day, an important day, a significant day and a long-awaited day in this House. Personally, this issue has been very close to my heart for many years. It is an issue that deserves very well-informed discussion and debate. As a sister of Cathal, who has Down's syndrome, and as someone who has worked both full-time and as a volunteer with Special Olympics, I have lived my life...

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Motion (7 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: She said:No one can help you but yourselves alone; you must make the world look upon you as citizens ... For each one of you there is a niche waiting ... [Find] your place in the nation. I say this to all people with disabilities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Mental Health Services: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Agreed.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of the people of Kildare, I express my gratitude to Kildare County Council, Civil Defence, the Department of Defence, the community volunteers and the farming community for doing such incredibly hard work over a sustained period of time. There is absolutely no doubt that people's lives were hugely impacted, and will be adversely impacted for quite a while. People are still...

Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath, for introducing the Bill to regulate vulture funds and protect consumer rights related to mortgages and SME loans. Throughout the country people are having sleepless nights and going through the day in a fog of despair and stressed about what might befall them. My colleague, Deputy Shane Cassells, spoke about their dreams going up in smoke and...

Provision of Cost-Rental Public Housing: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am happy to say a few words on this crisis and to support in principle the Private Members' motion introduced by the Green Party. There is no doubt that the rental crisis threatens to hollow out communities, villages and towns and is putting households under severe strain. The Government should cease its delays on cost-rental models and put in place a broader strategy to address the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Business of Joint Committee (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call the meeting to order and remind members to turn off their mobile phones. Apologies have been received from Senators Gallagher and Ruane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I remind members and delegates to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode, as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the proceedings of the meeting. Television coverage and web streaming are also adversely affected. The purpose in this part of the meeting is to engage with a number of stakeholders on the topic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Ms Irwin, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Mr. Oisín Hassan, vice president for academic affairs in the Union of Students Ireland, USI.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We invited representatives from the secondary school students' union but they declined to come in. They did not respond but we asked them. I call Mr. Browne, president of the National Parent's Council post primary.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Mr. Perser, director of academic affairs for the Irish Universities' Association.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: You should make a final point now, if you do not mind.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank all the witnesses for their observations and opening submissions. We will have questions from members before coming back to the witnesses. If questions arise and the witnesses feel they would like to come back over the next few weeks with written submissions, they should feel free to do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for her contribution. No one here is more experienced than she is in the area of education. All speakers made valid points. I note that 50% of students now take grinds, which surely mitigates against those who come from a disadvantaged or vulnerable background. This must be borne in mind. It is interesting to note in the written submissions and the views...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Leydon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Not at all. It was all interesting. I am sure Ms Leydon is aware that the committee held hearings on positive mental health and education and on the area of apprenticeships and that we have issued recommendations to the Minister in respect of both of those areas. We sing from the same hymn sheet without a shadow of a doubt.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Purser. Do any members have any further comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: If witnesses wish to add anything else to this debate then please submit a written submission to the clerk to the committee and we will ensure that their comments are included in the final report. I call Mr. Hassan as he was the first to indicate a wish to comment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: State Examinations: Discussion (6 Mar 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: They are worth their weight in gold this week anyway.