Results 561-580 of 5,821 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I am glad to see that the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill has progressed significantly. I welcome a particular aspect in it, where the Minister said that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, should be given €2.5 million to support services provided by independent radio stations. Local independent radio...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Land Issues (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to come in on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan. I want to raise the issue of land ownership, its transparency, and the State's role and responsibility in terms of land that should fall under its control. I will talk about one particular situation, but this is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Let us be clear. We are not looking for a waiver in a situation like this. We want to know who owns the land. The Minister of State clarified that the OPW deals with real property that devolves to the State. Therefore, I feel this is in the hands of the OPW. In this instance, the company is not restored so the property has not revert to the company. The Minister of State made the point...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to raise three issues. One relates to a bus link for Rathangan. I spoke two weeks ago about public transport in respect of the need to extend the short-hop zone and create a medium-hop zone. Most certainly, rural transport deserves to have its place too. There are a number of issues I want to raise, from a lack of connectivity to absolutely deplorable reliability. I have been...

Seanad: Education (Relationships and Sexuality Education) (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Education Act 1988 (as amended) to make provision for the implementation of relationship and sexuality education in primary and post-primary schools without any influence of religious ethos on relationship and sexuality education, and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Education (Relationships and Sexuality Education) (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for the opportunity to come in. Understandably, I will just be directing my questions to Kildare County Council. Ms Kavanagh and Ms Aspell, who I have worked with in the past, are very welcome. I thank them for the good work they do in delivering what are not just houses but homes for those who need them in Kildare, and also for meeting their social housing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business and I would like to second the minute's silence for Vicky Phelan. I am conscious that the women's caucus will be meeting at that time so I may not be back in the Chamber. The caucus will also have a vote on this. It is an appropriate thing to do and I thank the Deputy Leader for suggesting it. I have just come from Buswells Hotel where many of us had the...

Seanad: Private Nursing Home Sector: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for joining us. It was great to see her this morning at the launch of the Samaritans report. I acknowledge the tremendous work the Samaritans do throughout the country. Both the Minister of State and Charlie Bird were inspirational. I know it is an area the Minister of State is passionate about...

Seanad: Private Nursing Home Sector: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Senator Maria Byrne, who is sharing her time with Senator Aisling Dolan.

Seanad: Forestry: Statements (15 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here to listen to our comments. I welcome the plan. It is very significant to have a proposed investment of €1.3 billion in the Irish forestry sector. As we know, it is the largest ever investment by any Irish Government in tree planting. I wish to acknowledge that it is part of the national forestry programme. It is absolutely essential in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education (15 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the witnesses' input and their very clear commitment to the very important work they are doing. Getting to the crux of it, establishing the links between all the services and education settings is very important. How we do that and support young people in school, families, community and social settings and how we marry all of that is very important. Non-formal and informal...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, for making himself available to take it. As education spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, I am very proud of my party's history in the education sphere over the years, including this current period in office. It has certainly been a transformative period despite the many challenges of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I certainly welcome the capital funding and the expansion that has been put in place. It concerns me when I hear that the top level data for the end of October shows that there are 4,937 apprentices waiting more than six months for their off-the-job training. This is a huge issue. Planning is essential for everybody. Young people who have...