Results 821-840 of 5,821 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (3 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber and I appreciate that he is here given the importance of this Commencement matter. I rise to seek absolute clarity on the future of Cathal Brugha Barracks and the Irish Defence Forces. We are all aware of the outrageous tweet from the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, which came from left field and shocked all of us. Not only did it shock all of us in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (3 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for his response and for bringing clarity to the debate. At the very least, we can say the tweet sent out by the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was disingenuous and ill-informed.I thank the Minister for making it clear that no decision has been made by Government in terms of relocation and for acknowledging the very strategic location of Cathal Brugha Barracks and the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish Senator Pauline O'Reilly well in her first day taking the Order of Business as Acting Leader of the House. Tomorrow is Countess Markievicz's birthday and, to celebrate and commemorate that, Women for Election are launching a new campaign called "Count Her In". It is about supporting women to stand for election. They will be having a photo call outside the gates of Leinster House at...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I congratulate Senator Flynn on her Bill. I was pleased, while acting as Leader of the House on Tuesday, to be able to accept the amendment to the Order of Business in order that Senator Flynn could introduce this Bill today. I am doubly pleased to support it on the floor now. Senator Flynn’s opening of this conversation has been phenomenal. It was the first time that I myself...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Equality and Non-Discrimination: Discussion (3 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their important engagement. I have certainly learned a great deal, in particular from Ms Dennehy and Ms Levin, because I would not really have been aware of the issues they have spoken about regarding direct exposure to LED. LED is everywhere and will increasingly come onstream so I can only begin to imagine its impact in terms of trying to carry out the functions...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senator Norris is very humble when he says that he is not the world's greatest Joycean scholar. No matter what, he is our Joycean scholar and we are all incredibly proud of him both for his work on Joyce and literature and for the work he has been doing in the Seanad. In addition to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Joyce's Ulysses, it is also important to note that he...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Niall Collins, to the Seanad to take this Commencement matter.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (1 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The rationalisation of the CAO portal is very welcome. I checked out gov.ie/therightcourse and was amazed by its information and the number of courses on it, which any of us can take at any stage.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach. For the day that is in it, I am sure he will not mind if I read one of St. Brigid's prayers into the record.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: When I mention the angels of God, I refer to whatever God means to Members. Lá Fhéile Bríde shona daoibh. Brigid means so much to people not just around Kildare and Ireland, but around the world. I was in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe meeting last week. There are three parishes outside Strasbourg called after St. Brigid. St. Brigid's church in Strasbourg had a...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I hope I can read my own writing. Being able to write as quickly as possible is the first test.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Senator. I assure everyone it is pure coincidence that I am here as Acting Leader on St. Brigid's Day. However, it is an absolute pleasure.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am very happy to be St. Brigid's representative in the Seanad today. To follow what Senator Wall said, Members do not have to wait until next year to come to Kildare; they are welcome to come anytime. In fact, Solas Bhride has a wonderful set of activities going on throughout the week. To turn now to the issues at hand.Senator Malcolm Byrne, like most Senators, recognised the importance...

Seanad: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2022: Motion (1 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2022, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 29th November, 2021."

Seanad: Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Tánaiste is very welcome to the Seanad. This is very important legislation that will bring about a fairer system. I welcome the fact it is employee led, there is transparency at the heart of it, and there has to be consultation with employees in any working environment with regard to the policy that will be adopted by the employer. The Bill is certainly very much welcome. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Discussion (1 Feb 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the opportunity to take Deputy O'Sullivan's slot. I thank the witnesses for coming before us. It is interesting to hear their views and opinions. While they differ slightly, addressing the balance of rights within a community and the ability of every child to have an opportunity to go to school in his or her community is uppermost. Some 20% of schools have a problem with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jan 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the clarification given yesterday evening that the €1,000 tax-free bonus for health workers will be extended to home helps. We very much value the role home helps play in keeping people safe in their own environment, especially keeping them safe from Covid so that they did not have to go into nursing homes or hospitals. That is very welcome. I appreciate there are calls...

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate the gesture. Deputy English is very kind. It is important to thank Deputy Bacik for initiating this Bill and Senator Sherlock for leading it through the House. It is certainly an important Bill and I would hope that any obstacles that are in the way from the Minister of State's point of view will be looked at and taken out of the way. It is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jan 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We gather here today with a sadder and number sense of public representation since the last day that we spoke due to the horrific murder of Ashling Murphy. We cannot and will not ignore what happened. The women and men of Ireland came together in solidarity with the Murphy family and many of us attended vigils outside of Leinster House and all around the country last week. All of those...