Results 401-420 of 5,756 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: He is absolutely on the ball. Senator Davitt spoke about the impact of Tara Mines on Westmeath. Senator Paddy Burke expressed his sympathies on the death of former colleague, Paul Coghlan. I would like to be associated with that, as I know everybody else in the House would be. He spoke about the disability grants report. It is a priority that we have a debate on that. Senator Craughwell...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister is very welcome back and I wish continued good health to her and her family. As she knows, I previously introduced hate crime legislation in 2016 in the Dáil and in the Seanad in 2020. That Bill dealt with the area of hate crime but not hate speech. The reason I introduced that Bill at the time, and why my party supported it, is because it is a sad reality that hate crime...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Initially, I want to mention Private Seán Rooney, who lost his life so tragically in Lebanon in December while serving our country overseas. I understand that the United Nations is to award Private Rooney a medal to honour his memory and his sacrifice. This will be a very bittersweet but proud moment for his mum Natasha and his fiancée Holly. I just wanted to say this today and...

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Motion (30 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I second the motion. Senator McGreehan is so passionate about the Good Friday Agreement and everything it brings that I thought she was going to use all of her time and possibly even go over time. I also commend Senator Niall Blaney on the work he does in this area. I welcome the Tánaiste to the Seanad. It is really important that he is here to celebrate, acknowledge and look forward...

Seanad: National Parks: Special Educational Needs (23 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have been working with a wonderful team of people at Sensational Kids in Kildare, including Karen Leigh, CEO, and Ann Marie Sweeney, to try to realise their vision to transform access and therapeutic supports for children with additional needs and their families.On Friday last, I visited the enterprise's interim space in Kildare town once again and had the opportunity to tour its national...

Seanad: National Parks: Special Educational Needs (23 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The bottom line is that the Department of Justice has pulled the rug out from under Sensational Kids at the last minute. It was approved for the IIP programme. It was told it could still access the required additional funding to complete the project after the IIP closed. It was never advised of a timeline to submit additional information and now it is in a situation where costs have risen...

Seanad: National Parks: Special Educational Needs (23 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: To clarify, it is not to get a response within 12 months but for the scheme to be extended for a 12-month period in order to get the additional costings, etc., in.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Last night I attended an online meeting organised by Newbridge community development group about commuter issues and particularly the proposed new national fares strategy outlined by the National Transport Authority, NTA, last month. It is regrettable that the NTA, despite being invited, did not attend the meeting. The NTA needs to listen to these customers and people, as the consumers of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Visually Impaired Students: Discussion (23 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome Mr. Mullaniff, Ms Doherty and Ms O'Dwyer. It is important we have the opportunity to have this type of engagement with them. I am conscious that the NCBI looks after 18,500 people within the cohort around the country. Reading their statement and submission, I wonder how many of those are in the category we are now looking at, when it comes to primary, secondary and third level...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Directives (9 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I was told the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, would deal with my Commencement matter.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (9 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter and the Minister of State for making himself available.. The Tánaiste, as Minister for Defence, contacted me to apologise that he could not take this matter as he is meeting with PDFORRA, which is a very important organisation to the whole Defence Forces family, so I totally accept why he cannot be here. As a very proud...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (9 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. It is heartening to know this report should be ready in a few weeks and that the recommendations are currently being looked at. The national heritage status is absolutely key. While we may see this area being transferred to the OPW, which would be a good home, there are obviously a number of different Departments involved, including the Departments of...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of welcome to our distinguished guests, particularly to Michael Chambers and Denis Kiely, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at lunchtime. I can assure them that Senator Chambers is a beacon of hope and light and I have no doubt but that they are all incredibly proud of her. I wish to raise a few issues today and will first refer to foster carers. I have been dealing with a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Discussion (9 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I apologise for being late. We had a number of conflicting sessions this morning, particularly in the Seanad, so I did not have the opportunity to listen to the opening statements, although I did have the opportunity to go through the statements. It is good to see Ms Dolan again and I wish her continued success. Given the area we are looking at, it was very helpful for the committee to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (3 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. I believe the Minister of State will remain with us to take this matter. I appreciate this. Many Members of this House and of the Lower House, will be aware that public transport is a key issue for me in representing the needs, desires and wants of those I represent in south Kildare. This matter is in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (3 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. His reply is certainly signalling good news for commuters from Newbridge in Kildare and for those in the 23 km to 50 km zone. I accept that there has to be a budgetary cost for this but I certainly will not be shy in looking for it. It is incredibly important that we support our commuters for all sorts of reasons but particularly in respect of climate change...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of welcome to the Polish ambassador and her team. I welcome Mary and Liam and friends. It is a great privilege and pleasure to have them here. This morning I hosted a tea party in Leinster House as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's society. I thank everybody for supporting it, both Members and staff. We were particularly pleased to have such strong ambassadors and advocates...

Seanad: Reykjavik Summit of the Council of Europe: Statements (3 May 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his kind words. It is important that this House and the Lower House discuss the upcoming summit. As he stated, it is the fourth such summit in 73 years. There will be significant attendance by Heads of State, with more than 40 countries having indicated they will attend. It is an important day for Europe, the world and Ireland. In particular, I thank...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: As the Deputy Leader may recall, I raised the issue of the EU Commission's case against Hungary's anti-LGBT law in the House previously and called on Ireland to join the lawsuit in solidarity. I am really pleased that, under the stewardship of An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, Ireland has formally supported this particular case. It shows once...