Results 981-1,000 of 5,755 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bord na Móna (11 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is a pleasure to be back in the convention centre, where we had our first Seanad meeting of this mandate. I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter, which is important to the people of Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath and all those impacted by job losses because of Bord na Móna. I cannot overstate the importance of Bord na Móna and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bord na Móna (11 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State has outlined some figures. Timelines are very important in terms of the outcomes we expect to see and I would appreciate if they were put in place. I wish to make three brief points. Retrofitting is very welcome and I am pleased the pilot scheme is being rolled out. I am aware the pilot scheme is just dealing with houses within local authority housing stock, but it...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: First, I wish to pay tribute to a great Irish patriot, Mr. Seán Lemass, who died on today's date 50 years ago. He was a democratic, practical and visionary republican. He believed that social and economic goals should not be in conflict, but should be achieved at the same time. That is the reason the Lemass era was defined by expanded access to education, new social supports, health...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is very fitting today, as we celebrate the legacy of Seán Lemass and all he did for education, that we have the opportunity to discuss this legislation and to talk about what a future legacy can be. What Senator Ruane has raised and indicated in her amendment is certainly worthy of debate. It is a debate on which we need to have a full sitting and perhaps it is an issue on which we...

Seanad: Carer's Allowance: Motion (10 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senator Seery Kearney for proposing the motion. It is incredibly important and timely given that the population is growing older, but also in terms of dealing with the pandemic and the emphasis that is placed on people caring for vulnerable family members. The findings of the Citizens' Assembly emphasised the importance of recognising carers, including within the Constitution....

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend my colleagues, Senators Blaney and McGreehan, on tabling the motion. It is a moment of reflection and renewal that has stirred our hearts and souls in the past 12 months. We all remember the mantra, peace in our time. Coming up to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago, that was something we dreamt about and whispered about. We dared to dream. The world worked...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: When I spoke in the Seanad last week I raised the issue of maternity services restrictions, which is on many Members' minds today. I am glad there was clarification from on high, but there does not seem to be the same clarification in the three maternity hospitals and 16 maternity units around the country. It is beyond time that partners were allowed to attend for scans and the full labour....

Seanad: European Digital Green Certificate: Statements (7 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State is very welcome. I am aware that, since his appointment, he has been dealing with the myriad issues we have faced owing to Covid and EU business matters. I thank him for that. I wish him well with the remainder of his term. Maybe we took for granted the right to travel that we had before Covid and the freedom we had to make decisions on what we wanted to do with our...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Order for Second Stage (7 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber, which is her Chamber also. It has been a difficult and tumultuous time for the leaving certificate classes of 2020 and 2021, their parents, their teachers, the whole school community, the Department and the Minister. The word "unprecedented" has been bandied about a great deal over the past year, but the task faced by her office and the Department of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Bullying and its Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (4 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to clarify that I am in Leinster House. I thank all the contributors for their comments on this difficult area. It is important to all of us. Everything that I have heard this morning has been thought-provoking and stark in respect of what we are dealing with. Last November, we had the opportunity to touch on this and looked at some of the statistics. I have several questions. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Bullying and its Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (4 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That links in with the parent-student charter issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Bullying and its Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (4 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am particularly interested in the role of the bystander. We know from the submissions that approximately 90% of these incidents have bystanders. Empowering the bystander to make an intervention is really important. It is to teach young people that strong people stand up for themselves, but the strongest people stand up for others and that, to a certain extent, if one is neutral in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Bullying and its Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (4 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Absolutely, I agree in that regard. However, it is still worth talking about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Bullying and its Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (4 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The area of restorative justice is very important in regard to what Dr. Noctor is saying. Obviously, there is great concern about cyberbullying. That must be dealt with in a specialised way. Are my six minutes over?

Seanad: Business and Covid-19: Statements (30 Apr 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Tánaiste is very welcome to the House on this important day on which hope, supports, a path forward and a significant level of vaccinations intersect. This is all in stark contrast to India, the homeland of the Tánaiste's father, from where we see upsetting and disturbing images. I am glad Ireland is playing a role in helping those in need but we must do more, especially to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Maternity Services (30 Apr 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: This is not the first time I have spoken about this issue. I addressed it last Monday. Senator Flynn told us of her happy news on that occasion and I wish her well. The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I certainly hope he can bring some clarity to the issue about which I am speaking today. There is a need for the lifting of restrictions on appointments, labours and visits to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Maternity Services (30 Apr 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am disappointed with the response of the Minister of State. I completely accept and understand, as I am sure does every Member, the necessity to introduce restrictions in our maternity hospitals to protect women, babies and staff but we have now moved to a stage where pregnant women will be prioritised for vaccination and our healthcare staff have been vaccinated. Honestly, the damage...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Apr 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, to the Chamber.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined. A week is a long time in politics and since the House last met, Arlene Foster has signalled that she will be standing down as First Minister and as leader of the DUP. I pay tribute to Arlene Foster. Politics is a difficult game for all of us and nowhere is it more difficult than in Northern Ireland. I wish her well and acknowledge her work on...