Results 41-60 of 5,821 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I wish to comment on public service community radio. We have a great radio station in Kildare, Kfm. It provides an important public service. That was how I first heard of this particular situation. Some of the women impacted contacted me afterwards. There is a new modern primary day...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. Like her, I acknowledge the critical role that midwives across the country play in the delivery of excellent services for mums and their new babies. I acknowledge that the Minister for Health has said that she understands the disruption and distress that has been caused. I appreciate that in the Minister of State's answer, she said measures had been put in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. On Sunday, I had the immense privilege of meeting Bernie and Jane Sanders in Athy, County Kildare. This came about through the wonderful work of Colm Walsh, who has developed the Made of Athy series and discovered that the ancestors of Jane Sanders came from Athy. As a couple, Jane and Bernie are absolutely inspirational. They...

Seanad: Local Democracy Task Force: Statements (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to have a discussion on a really important topic that has an impact on all of our lives. 1898 was the year that local government came into being and local councils were set up. My grandfather, Joseph O'Loughlin, was on the very first Kildare County Council. He died when my father was only seven, so we did not know him but 20 years after...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. I am sorry I missed the start. Commencement matters overran because of the Dáil vote. I congratulate him and wish him well. It is an interesting brief and it provides an opportunity to do a lot of good and bring about support and help for those who are vulnerable, both the Irish who are vulnerable abroad and those from other countries. ...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I agree with what my colleagues have raised. Trade agreements are a hugely crucial area in terms of human rights. It is an area that we need to focus on, particularly with the upcoming Presidency, and one we should not lose sight of. I did not thank in my earlier contribution those who work in our missions across Europe. They do an incredible job. I have been fortunate enough to have met...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for coming back in to take this matter. I really appreciate it. We are all conscious of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, which was launched in October 2021. It is a very important plan. Its key objectives concern increased access, enhanced connectivity, improved frequency and innovative solutions. It is managed by the NTA working with other partners such...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I note the fact that 240 towns and villages have been newly connected to the public transport network. That is welcome. There have been 61 new connections to healthcare facilities and 41 to higher education facilities. That is notable and laudable, and we need to say "Well done" to all those involved. I am pleased that the 888 route is expected to launch next month. That is important....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sittings of the House on 28 and 29 May 2025, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 2, statements on public procurement, to be taken at 11:45 a.m. and to conclude at 1.15 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We started with Senator Fitzpatrick, leading for Fianna Fáil, talking once again about the very distressing scenes and news coming from Gaza, including wilful starvation and the murder of more than 50,000 people, 70% of whom are women and children. Every day in Gaza, at least ten children lose at least one limb. Just think of the lifelong consequences for them. Yesterday, we saw the...

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on 28th and 29th May, 2025: (1) The Seanad on its rising on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025, shall adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Commencement matters...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I thank Kfm, my local radio station, for its excellent service in public broadcasting and bringing issues of concern to all our ears. This morning, I learned through Kfm that there was a cancellation of midwifery services in the primary care centre in Athy. Many expectant mums were given less than 24 hours’ notice and were...

Committee on European Union Affairs: Business of Joint Committee (21 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish you, Chair, well in your position. In the geopolitical climate we are in and with the upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU, I have no doubt it is going to be a busy committee and you are going to be a busy Chair. I have no doubt, having seen your capacity and capability prior to this, you will serve all of us with distinction and dignity. I wish you well in the term ahead.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. PDFORRA is a great organisation. It was founded in 1990 and represents in excess of 6,500 members of the Defence Forces. I was fortunate enough to have known the founding member, Mr. John Lucey, who worked closely with Mr. Jim Brady from my area of Kildare. In recent days Mr. Mark Keane has stepped down after eight years as...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (20 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, for coming to the House to take this Stage of the Bill. There are a few people I wish to thank for bringing this Bill to fruition. First, my former colleague and Senator, Lisa Chambers, who put a lot of work into this Bill. It first appeared under her and my name but she was the lead on it and it is important at this point to thank her for that...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (20 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (20 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: This is the first time Senator Ahearn has taken the Order of Business during this mandate, so I wish him well with that. All of us across the country were absolutely shocked when, nine years ago, we heard of the appalling murder of Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, Liam, Niall and Ryan, by their husband and dad. I was very moved over the weekend to hear her sister Jacqueline Connolly...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I extend my welcome to the Chair of the Good Friday Agreement committee, Deputy Devlin, and his interns. I also welcome the students and teachers from Rush National School, whom I met coming into the Chamber. I indicate my intention to move a motion to have a minute's silence on the death of former Minister Paddy O'Toole at the end of the Order of Business. The Order of Business is No....