Results 21-40 of 5,912 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (2 Oct 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also welcome the ambassador. It is a pleasure to meet him once again. We met on St. Patrick's Day in Newbridge as a result of the very active twinning we have with Bad Lippspringe. I wish all German citizens living in Ireland and those with links to Germany a happy independence and commemoration day. Before moving to the Order of Business, I propose to read out a statement. I want to...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on growing and building resilience in Ireland’s small business and retail, to be taken at 12 p.m. and to conclude at 1.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed four...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have so many notes in front on me now, and I am trying to rearrange today's schedule, so forgive me if I do not get every single piece. We started off with Senator Rabbitte expressing solidarity with Senator Chris Andrews and others. I understand from Senator Ruane that Deputy Heneghan is about three days behind. He is on the next flotilla.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: We have to acknowledge Deputy Heneghan because we cannot just acknowledge one Oireachtas Member not the other. That is important. Senator Rabbitte rightly called out the genocide that is happening in Gaza. It is absolutely heartbreaking. We are all on the same page. Sometimes it frustrates me when there is a sense that it is one side against the other. We all agreed on a motion under...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is because it is a national route. Priority has been given to schools in every single county by the local authorities. Obviously, there is a particular situation with this, but we certainly would echo our support. Every child going to school should have a safe route to school. Senator Brady spoke about the Ryder Cup and what a great achievement it was for Europe and the Irish...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: It was Senator McCormack who proposed the amendment first.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thought she seconded it.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: Apologies. I will outline No. 1a on the Supplementary Order Paper. Statements on the Global Sumud Flotilla will be taken at 1.30 p.m. and conclude at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister of State not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes each,...

Seanad: Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to share time with Senator Alison Comyn.

Seanad: Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We have already had an opportunity to discuss this issue briefly this morning. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State made himself available to come to the Seanad Chamber to discuss this. Even though he has a heavy schedule, he changed other commitments in order to come here because he appreciates, as we do, that this is a very important area of discussion and we need to have the...

Seanad: Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It was me.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Oct 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of formal welcome on the behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party to the ambassador from Cyprus. It was lovely to meet him earlier. I wish all Cypriots living in Ireland a good and happy independence day. Jenny Poole would have been 29 today. She should have been celebrating her birthday with her two young children, her parents and her family. Sadly, as we know, she was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It will not come as any surprise to hear me talking about this Commencement matter. Coming from south Kildare, it is a topic that is very close to my heart. The military and defence family are very much part of the whole social, economic and professional fabric of Kildare and right around the country. Over the years, we have seen a lack of investment in our Defence Forces and we have a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I acknowledge the work that has been done on recruitment and retention. I am disappointed that there is not anything in the response the Minister of State received from the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence's office in relation to the Curragh Plains. This is absolutely a key part here. We are halfway through the period from 2022 to 2028 to which the Minister of State referred and only...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our sympathies to our colleague Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee on the passing of her mother, Mary, at the very untimely age of 67. Our deepest sympathy to Lorraine, to her dad, Mossie, and to all her family. There will be further opportunities to speak about the wonderful and great man that Martin Mansergh was, and my colleague Senator...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leas-Cathaoirleach. First, I formally welcome Martin Hughes to the Chamber following his appointment to his new role. I look forward to working with him. We also send our best wishes to the outgoing Bridget Doody. She did an an incredible job while she stepped into the role in an acting capacity. The Order of Business today is No. 47(1) on the Order Paper, motion regarding...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We started this morning with Senator Comyn and I share her tribute to Kevin Geraghty from Collon. Having people in one's life who are stalwarts, as the Senator described Kevin, is so important. As every single one of us know in this Chamber and in the other Chamber, putting your name up to run for election can be a lonely business no matter whether you are a member of a party or running as...

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Motion (25 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann: recognises: - the absolute horror of the war and famine being inflicted on the people of Gaza and the absolute need for an immediate ceasefire to allow for food and aid to be delivered and also for the hostages to be released; - the Irish Government’s ongoing commitment in recognising the State of Palestine and for a two-state solution to end...

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Motion (25 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for being here to take this very emotive and important subject matter as a motion. This is the first Private Members' business in this session and it is appropriate that it relates to Gaza. The last Private Members' motion the House had before the recess was on the same topic. I commend Senator McDowell on all the work he put into compiling that...

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Motion (25 Sep 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his compassion and understanding, and his support for the motion. I thank my colleagues for participating, delivering and supporting this motion and I commend the Opposition as well. We are all on the same page. We are not on opposite sides. We want to do our very best as legislators and as a nation to support those who are displaced from Palestine, those...