Results 481-500 of 5,755 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Motion (8 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann- - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Niamh Bhreathnach; - conveys its sincere condolences to her family; and - expresses its gratitude for her notable contribution to Irish public life and for her dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The first thing I was going to do was to thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for having the moment of silence for peace yesterday. I very much appreciated that. All the schoolchildren from Scoil Bhríde Athgarvan appreciated that you came down and gave so much time to them at our St. Brigid's cross-making workshop. I thank everybody from across the House who came. It was wonderful to have the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Living with a Disability: Discussion (2 Feb 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have been blown away by the presentation from Ms Gallagher. I thank her for sharing all about her life with us. It is something that we are all sensitive about. We need and rely on people like her and family members to talk about personal and sensitive issues in their lives in order that people have an understanding of what it is like to live with a disability. I am conscious of that....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: UNCRPD and the Optional Protocol (Resumed): Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (19 Jan 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister and his officials are welcome. One of my colleagues commented earlier that Ireland can be seen as a laggard in how we are living up to the UNCRPD but it is not just a perception. We are a laggard and that needs to be addressed. The Minister's opening statement and his response to Deputy Higgins give me hope about where we are going. I appreciate that we are in limbo at the...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Very many congratulations to you. It is said that a healthy democracy requires a decent society and also requires that we be honourable, generous, tolerant and respectful. The Cathaoirleach absolutely embodies all those qualities, as I know from the time in which I have got to know him and from stories I have heard about him from my brother-in-law, Jim...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is all in Kildare, so.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Horse Racing Industry (7 Dec 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important matter. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, for making himself available to take this Commencement matter in the Chamber. I raise the challenges facing the equine sector in Ireland. It is an issue that disproportionately affects my area of Kildare. I will begin by quoting the foreword of a recent Horse Racing Ireland,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Horse Racing Industry (7 Dec 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I acknowledge there is a very strong case here. The former chief executive, Shane O'Dwyer, and the chairperson, Cathy Grassick did a really excellent job with the proposal, which I have read thoroughly. It is centred on the three key supports of reducing costs, enhancing ease of trade and developing new and existing markets. The question I asked was specifically around the support of the...