Results 661-680 of 5,821 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Jul 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have just come from an excellent briefing in the audiovisual room. I appreciate those who are here did not have the opportunity to go to it. It was from the Ukraine Civil Society Forum and about 65 different organisations that together are responding to the Ukrainian crisis within our country. We must acknowledge that, since 24 February, when Putin’s war of aggression started, the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I second the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. It came to my attention before I came into the Chamber that today is International Day of Parliamentarism. I wish Members a happy international day. It is important to recognise that we live in a country where democracy prevails. It is important also to appreciate and respect that. One of the issues I wish to raise today is in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Fair play, that is great.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (28 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. I am disappointed that we do not have the Minister for Education or her Minister of State. I appreciate that the Minister of State may not have the level of detail I need and require, apart from the briefing he has been given. As we all know, education is the passport to the future because tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it. I am not...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (28 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There is nothing in the Department's response that I did not hear six months ago, when I last raised the issue. I had hoped that there would have been some update on the proposed new school. I note the Minister of State mentioned data from a range of sources, including child benefit and school enrolment data. Of course that is important but 1,500 new homes are being built in Newbridge and I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Young Social Innovators: Discussion (28 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I must keep an eye on the clock because I will be raising a Commencement matter in the Seanad. I reckon I will cover what I want to say in the allocated eight minutes. It has been very refreshing to listen to all the students. Senator Pat Casey is an incredible advocate for the school and what they are doing. He shared with me a video that they put together, which is excellent. I commend...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish everybody a happy Bloomsday. It is a very important day in Dublin, Ireland and indeed across the world now. The final life-affirming words are not "... yes I said yes I will Yes" but in fact "Trieste-Zurich-Paris 1914-1921". The most Dublin of Dublin novels was actually written on the Continent and as we know Joyce was very deliberately European and a very proud European. He lived...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Tánaiste to the Chamber. It is a pleasure to be able to discuss this Bill with him. I welcome this legislation coming to the House. As was mentioned by my colleague, Senator Crowe, Fianna Fáil will, of course, be supporting this Bill. It is an important one because it gives all workers in Ireland the right to paid sick leave for the first time. This is something I...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There is no doubt that one of the greatest challenges facing us is the skyrocketing cost of living. Every single one of us in these Houses is being contacted all the time by constituents who believe the cost of a basic standard of living is becoming more and more difficult to meet. That reality is felt right across the country. I and no doubt the Acting Chairman are hearing it all the time...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Youth Perspectives on Climate Challenges: Discussion with Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg (3 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chairman and Senator McGahon, who is very kind as I did not wish to jump in ahead of anybody else. I am not a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action but this is a fantastic initiative and I thank Deputy Leddin, the committee Cathaoirleach, for leading and organising it and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad for also encouraging and supporting it. I was in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (2 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this very important issue for the Commencement debate, and Senator Boyhan for chairing this session. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is very welcome. I hope he has some good news for us in terms of the new bridge for Newbridge, which is my new mantra. I will put it up on everything that I do.Everyone in the House, in the Dáil and in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (2 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: With the greatest of respect to the Minister of State, I did not need a lecture on the URDF. While he correctly stated that Kildare County Council submitted four applications, this particular application was highlighted as the second most important of those four. It was bypassed for whatever reason. We were very disappointed to receive word that the project was not included. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of welcome to the distinguished ambassador with us today. I have enjoyed many pleasant times in his country. I cannot claim to know any Danish, but the Gaelic version of my name, O'Loughlin, is Ó Lochlainn, which means "The Viking", so I reckon I am descended from Viking blood. I also welcome the boys and girls from Tipperary, because I also have blood from the county...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also welcome the ambassador and wish him well during his time here. I have had the good fortune and luck to avail of wonderful hospitality in his country over many years and I look forward to doing so again. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I would also like to be associated with the condolences the House has offered to the Jackman family and to the Fine Gael Party on the passing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am going to suspend the meeting for two minutes until the Ministers come back in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Provision of Education Supports for Ukrainian Students (1 Jun 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister and Minister of State. I thank all of those who have put in place so many positive systems to ensure that Ukrainian students at this time of major trauma have welcome places in schools. I thank in particular school principals and teachers and, of course, the other children in the classes who have made our guests welcome. I will ask about some particular areas, one...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 May 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice to the welcome for the Croatian ambassador and the pupils from Malahide.They are all very welcome in this distinguished Chamber. I wish to raise a number of items. The first is on the decision announced last night regarding the provision of special education regional centres, seemingly across Dublin. I was surprised and shocked when I read the level of detail that was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing Disability Services: Discussion (26 May 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank all the witnesses. I am utterly depressed, although I do not why I am more than normal, after listening to these testaments. The story that has been painted is just so utterly bleak. In whatever way we can, we must try to give hope as well as support to families in this position. I thank the witnesses for their honesty and courage in coming to tell us their stories. I have a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and adjourn at 2.45 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given no...