Results 501-520 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also welcome the boys and girls. We are really glad to have them here to see how democracy happens. The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: A number of matters were discussed on the Order of Business. Senator Kyne commenced with yesterday's good news regarding the State's financial surplus. Of course, a surplus did happen by accident. It came about as a result of prudent and careful planning by the current Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, and his predecessor, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. We all agree that there are...

Seanad: Preventing and Combatting Human Trafficking: Motion (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I propose a suspension of the sitting for five minutes until 12.45 p.m.

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, to the Chamber.

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Before calling Senator Paul Daly, I welcome the students from Coláiste Pobail Osraí in Kilkenny. I understand the school's Dáil na nÓg group is with us today. They are joined by their principal and teacher, Ms Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh and Ms Aisling de Faoite, respectively. We hope they enjoy and get a lot from the debate. I also welcome members of the sheep...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Schools) Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend the proposers of this practical and pragmatic Bill which is worthy of debate and support. I will come back to the last comment made by the seconder of the Bill, Senator McDowell, my esteemed colleague, which we spoke about on the Order of Business this morning, namely, volunteerism and how important it is to our society, communities, school life and those who are involved in the...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Schools) Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Absolutely. I am conscious the Attorney General said there may be some technical issues around the drafting of the Bill that may need further consideration, but I know from what my esteemed colleagues have said that they would be happy to have that considered. There is no more for me to say and there is no point in me going through the Bill as the proposer has done that eloquently. I wish...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Schools) Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: At 9.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this topic. I thank the Minister of State for being here, although I note from what he said earlier that he would rather not be here delivering responses from other Ministers. I can only assume, therefore, that he will always be here to answer those questions relating to his own Department. As many Members of this House and of the Dáil will be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I recognise the important strides the Minister of State talked about regarding the built infrastructure of the Defence Forces and some of the areas he has mentioned. Significantly, the €55 million to improve built infrastructure is incredibly important. The infrastructure will include the new cadet school, new engineering stores, the garaging facilities and, next year, the Army...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Today is an important milestone. From today, individuals who receive care as patients in public hospitals will be exempt from paying any fee. It is important that we note that. As leader of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe, other Members and I work quite closely with a number of senior Department of Foreign Affairs officials and the Irish ambassadors to Europe. I speak for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I apologise for being absent for some of the meeting. I had a Commencement matter for discussion in the House and another meeting. I got the opportunity to meet Mr. Carew and Mr. O'Connor briefly in the Seanad Chamber. They are both very welcome, as are Mr. Bermingham and Mr. Scattergood. It is good to hear the voice of experience and what they can tell us about their discussions with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. O'Connor. I have some questions on apprenticeships for Mr. Bermingham and Mr. Scattergood. They spoke about where the impetus came for them to pursue an apprenticeship, which for Mr. Bermingham was to do with his background and the family business. The number of apprenticeships has gone up significantly, as has the number of women participating. Back in 2018, only 2% of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Mar 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of both current and former Fianna Fáil Members, I would like to be associated with the eloquent good wishes the Cathaoirleach paid to Noel. I wish him and his family health and happiness as they enter the next phase of their lives. I echo the Cathaoirleach's comments regarding Noel's kindness, generosity, understanding and support for all of us.Yesterday evening, I noticed on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Climate Crisis and Disability: Discussion (30 Mar 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Mr. Kearns, Mr. Walshe, Dr. Mooney and Ms Gilmartin, who is joining us online, are very welcome. In looking through some of the submissions they gave us last night, it really struck me how important it is to have a cross-cutting approach to ensuring disability proofing with regard to every policy that comes before every Department and every Minister. I have a number of questions. I will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to raise a number of issues. Yesterday I spoke about the Women of Honour report as we heard about it in the media. Today we have a little more information in regard to that report. Once again I thank the Women of Honour and indeed the Men of Honour who have come forward in regard to stark revelations in the report. Once again I note the substantial work that Senator Clonan and...

Seanad: Independent Review of the Handling of Past Complaints of Abuse in St John Ambulance Ireland: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the motion and commend the work of the proposers. I also commend the work of Senator Lynn Ruane who has been working on this issue for a long time.I most particularly commend Mr. Mick Finnegan who is present and who I got to know through a mutual friend, Mr. Aubrey McCarthy. Mr. Finnegan's courage in the face of all this for many years has to be commended. To be a survivor of...