Results 41-60 of 4,031 for and speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Aids and Appliances (27 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. In her reply, she stated it was important to note "that the new proposed procedure in respect of hair loss was for cancer provision only and had no impact on non-cancer related alopecia patients". I take from that that those suffering from alopecia will still be entitled to the same allowance as before. That is bringing clarity and I thank the Minister of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...with the OWL programme. The award was made at the Irish Centre for Diversity national awards. It is wonderful to see the Houses of the Oireachtas being recognised for this. We are the first and only parliament to organise an internship for young people from KARE and WALK in Walkinstown. I congratulate everybody involved but I particularly thank the Members and staff of the Houses for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Canadian delegation. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our sympathies on the sudden passing of our friend as well as our colleague, Michael O'Regan. Michael was always incredibly fair and just. In particular, he always saw the person behind the politician and always went out of his way to try to make sure that people were comfortable and treated well. We will all miss...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...be dealt with. I also mention the death of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, a vocal critic of President Putin. Mr. Navalny died last Friday in a Siberian penal colony. He was a brave and courageous political leader who put democracy and the democratic values we hold dear in these Houses ahead of his own safety and well-being. As we know, he was a strong and consistent...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...not comprehend what she was going through. I asked all of the adults in my life, "How could this happen?" They all said that nobody knew what was happening. Many years later, I visited Dachau and Auschwitz and again asked the question, "How could this happen?" Again, the answer was that people did not know what was happening and if they knew, it would not happen. Many years later, I...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I propose: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Order of the House today, statements will conclude at 6.20 p.m. and No. 4 will be taken immediately thereafter.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will support the Order of Business as outlined by the Acting Leader. I commend the actions taken by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in working with Spain to write to the European Commissioner looking for an urgent review of the trade agreement with Israel on the basis of human rights abuses. Obviously, the EU-Israel association agreement is an important trade agreement, so it is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: .... I wish to raise a number of points. The first relates to Sir Ernest Shackleton, about whom I have spoken about in these esteemed Houses previously. There are celebrations planned in London and Dublin this weekend for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who was born just outside Kilkea in Athy. He was part of three very famous expeditions...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend my county colleague, Senator Martin, on drafting this Bill and bringing it together. With his legal expertise and political experience, we have no doubt about the robustness of the Bill. It is important to have this debate and speak about domestic violence, which is a scourge not just in this country but across Europe and the world. As we know from statistics, during and after...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for being here. I appreciate that he is a very sincere and compassionate person, as well as a public representative. He has a deep understanding at heart of the issues we have here. However, I have to say that I am disappointed that the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Madigan, is not here. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...s profile of need, if two children with complex needs apply for a place in a school next September, how is that borne in mind in the context of this model? I appreciate that reviews need to happen and that we need to streamline and make the process better for everybody. Managing this process, particularly the cluster process that is there, is difficult. We need a student-first approach....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for attending. We are nearing the end of a long process and there have been difficult contributions and difficult learning. A common thread is that the point at which someone dies is important but the way in which they die is equally important. We have all had experience of bereavements within our families and circles, and the difference between those who have a good...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair and I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for offering me his slot. I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. I also thank the students who were before the committee in the earlier session. Obviously, this is an important issue. Before I mention specifics, I wish to make a general point around the impact of Brexit on the figures mentioned. Before Brexit, I imagine that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Lá Fhéile Bhríde shona daoibh go léir. Today is a very special day, not just for Kildare people but for people right around the country and indeed, all over the world. There are 52 events taking place in 52 different embassies across the world today, which is wonderful. Brigid was very much known as a woman of peace and as a negotiator. There are many legends and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It costs €40 and is well worth it.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...the opportunity to talk about something very positive, although I am looking for some more detail on its implementation. This is very important for commuters in south Kildare, Drogheda, Wicklow and parts of Meath. Since my election to the Oireachtas, I have advocated very strongly for better commuter fares for south Kildare. The population in Kildare has grown a great amount over recent...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Minister of State has clarified that it will probably be the end of September before this comes in. I know it will not be long coming. It is always a little painful when something is announced and you have to wait quite some time before it comes in. I do appreciate that the implementation comes down to the NTA, but the Government plays a very important part in setting the policy and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice in welcoming our guests from Moyle Park College and the Isle of Man. My home village of Rathangan hosted the Isle of Man delegation for the Special Olympics held in Ireland in 2003. We built up a very strong relationship, so the delegation is incredibly welcome. I welcome the survey published yesterday on the best towns in the country to live in. Two towns in County Mayo,...

Seanad: Family Carers: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...disability. I am a strong believer in that. I know many people with disabilities, including in my own family. Honouring their ability to be the person that they can be is so important in my eyes and in the eyes of many. Before I respond to the motion I wish to make a few points, particularly in relation to the whole area of care. We, in the women's caucus, brought a motion around care...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I would like to express my own deepest sympathy to the family of John Connor, and indeed, to the people of Roscommon, who were very well represented by John. I also express my sympathy to the Fine Gael Party. When you lose someone who is such a stalwart and a source of huge wisdom and experience for everybody, it is a huge loss. Following the Order of Business, we will be moving a motion...