Results 81-100 of 4,031 for and speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...is who they are." They are very welcome. I hope they have a lovely day in Leinster House. I hope to get to chat to some of them later. I thank the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for progressing this and being with us to discuss this hugely important Bill. As we gather here, it is only right that we remember Ashling Murphy and her family and friends and, of course, the family and friends of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Care for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Walsh, Ms Duggan and their teams for being here and for the very well-intentioned and good work that is being carried out. I also want to express concern about where we are at. Every child about whom we are talking and who accessed the services is vulnerable. Regardless of whether they come from the most supportive family, there will be challenges, frustrations, disappointment...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...J. Belton. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 2, Public-Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also extend my welcome and that of the House to our distinguished guests. We are all looking forward to the tribute to William B. Yeats next Thursday. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind invitation. I listened to RTÉ Radio 1 over the weekend, when the day William B. Yeats heard the news that he was the winner of the Nobel Prize was discussed. He had been nominated a number of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There is no doubt about that. The House re-echoes its call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, including little Emily Hand - I understand that the Tánaiste met with her family today - and for aid to be delivered to Palestine. That is with all collectively working towards a long-term solution. Senator Dooley also asked for a debate on the national public service...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Motion (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann – - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Louis J. Belton; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution, as a member of Seanad Éireann, to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a further period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of December, 2023 and ending on the 31st day of May, 2024.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair. Fianna Fáil, as the Chair and Minister know, believes in the delivery of fundamental public health services to the highest standard, through investment, innovation and of course reform, which this really falls under. In government, we have continued to support the reform of our health services and have implemented universal health care that is accessible and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Bearing in mind what my esteemed colleague has said, right across both Houses and cross-party we are all utterly heartbroken with the scenes we are seeing. There is a sense of helplessness. We are all calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, for aid into Gaza and for the hostages to be released. I have written to the Leader to ask if it would be appropriate that we in this House would...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Last night, Brigid 1500 was launched in Kildare because in 2024 we will celebrate 1,500 years since Brigid walked these shores. She certainly left a very meaningful cultural and societal legacy and one that it is really important we celebrate. In many ways she was a woman ahead of her time. She was very concerned about biodiversity, sustainability, education and the arts. Most...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Care for People with Disabilities: Discussion (8 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair and I thank all of our guests for their presence here, their statements and their willingness and commitment in trying to make a bleak and difficult situation better. We have had some talk here about crisis situations and about what we do at that point. None of us wants to have a situation where any situation gets to a crisis situation. It is all about that intervention...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Care for People with Disabilities: Discussion (8 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Dr. Hillery and Mr. Leonard earlier highlighted the need for sharing good practice. All too often the committee speaks about and hears about situations that have gone wrong or people who are not being treated in the way any of us may expect or want. It is an important point that there are times when the patient gets the best possible care or there is a change, as we heard about when we were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Rights-Based Care for People with Disabilities: Discussion (8 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The House is on the last vote. I am conscious the Chair will have some questions himself and there are also two other members so I suggest we suspend for 15 minutes, if that is okay. Our guests are very good to give us their time so it would be a shame for everyone not to have the opportunity to question and to have the debate and engagement.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also add my voice of welcome to our distinguished guests and thank them for the work they are doing on behalf of victims. It is much appreciated. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2023, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, statements on housing, to be taken at 3.30...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senators Conway and Dolan raised the fact that after 91 years of excellent work, the NCBI has changed its name to Vision Ireland. Senator Conway said the latest census shows there has been a 400% increase in the number of people who are visually impaired. The fact that we have an older population means we are bound to have issues such as this. It is a concern when we have 300,000 people...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On the phone. Otherwise, you have to basically use ChatGPT to try to get a response. I agree. There is nothing more frustrating. Many people have unique questions particular to their situations and they just keep getting, "I do not understand your question" as a response. It is simply not good enough. We will send a call-out to the Minister to try to ensure these offices are available...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2023: Motion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: "That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2023, copies of which were laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 18th October, 2023, be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)(b), which, not later than 22nd November,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Autonomy and Assessing Decision-making Capacity: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...get to hear all the opening statements. However, I did have the opportunity to read them. When I came in, Ms Lazar was speaking about personal choice. I have a good friend, whom I met recently, and we discussed this. He is somebody who was very much against the repeal of the eighth amendment. While liberal in many other ways, he campaigned strongly because he felt that somebody else...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Consent Programmes in Irish Education: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for attending. It is good to see them all. In particular, it is good to see Ms McDowell, who has done incredible advocacy work in this and related areas. That is much appreciated. I had the opportunity a few years ago to attend a consent class in Trinity College Dublin and was really impressed with it. In particular, I was impressed the attendance was 50% men and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Consent Programmes in Irish Education: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ..., as in positive sexual behaviour as opposed to just talking about all the negative elements. Will Dr. O'Higgins refer to the importance of students taking in these programmes at a younger age and before reaching third level? Obviously, the results of the survey give rise to concern. Will Dr. MacNeela address the importance of adopting a holistic strategy to this, so that it is not just...