Results 981-1,000 of 5,924 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (18 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I assure the Minister of State that Kildare County Council has been involved in looking at all the proposed sites with the Department. I agree with him about having the site located in an appropriate place. I accept the statement he has given us but there is nothing new in it that will give either of us comfort regarding the provision the school places that are needed for next September....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined. As tomorrow is International Men's Day, I would like to express my wishes for a good day to all of my male colleagues here.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is an important day because it celebrates the positive values that men bring to their families, to their communities, to the world and, in this case, to the Seanad and the Dáil. The day has gone from strength to strength. As we hear a lot about International Women's Day, it is important that we celebrate International Men's Day. The day is important to me because it is also my dear...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (18 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am, of course, happy to share my time. The very first Commencement matter I raised in this House was on this exact issue. Here we are a year and a half later and the situation is only getting worse. I am speaking on behalf of tens, if not hundreds, of families who are at a complete loss due to their children not being offered any secondary school place...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach (18 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have no doubt that the Taoiseach has been in this Chamber many times as a Minister, but this is the first time he has been here as Taoiseach. We are deeply honoured to have him here and this side of the House is incredibly proud to have him as Taoiseach. Tomorrow is International Men's Day, which I spoke about earlier today on the Order of Business. The theme this year is true equality...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Disability Services with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am conscious that I may have to leave before the end of the responses because I have the first Commencement matter in the House. I will listen back to the responses. I thank the four witnesses. It was very humbling to listen to details of their experiences, which is essentially what we want to do. We want to try to identify the many challenges they have in terms of living their daily...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: Two days ago I spoke about the price of tickets for the match between Ireland and Portugal this evening. I am glad to say that the FAI has capitulated and refunded the difference between the cost of a ticket for a child and a ticket for an adult in terms of the person of whom I spoke. That is really good news. I referred to the company that sold the tickets online but it still has not...

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Finland is officially the world's happiest country and that is not unrelated to the fact it is 75% covered in trees. We all know the therapeutic benefit of trees. I often go for a walk in Killinthomas in Rathangan, in Moore Abbey in Monasterevin and Mullaghreelan near Kilkea Castle and derive great benefit from it. Of course, today, we want to talk about the commercial aspect of forestry,...

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State has a minimum of ten minutes and can actually take 20 minutes.

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State is fine.

Seanad: Science Week: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister is very welcome. This is going be a fascinating debate. I thank the Minister for his opening words, which were inspirational and educational. They certainly give real impetus in the context of the importance we need to place on science with regard to our lives, not just within the classroom but also in everything we do. I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Diseases (9 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We will split it. Senator Casey will go first.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Diseases (9 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senator Casey for giving us those very stark statistics regarding the impact of deer in Kildare and west Wicklow. As somebody who lives in Kildare, I have ongoing engagement with the Irish Farmers Association branches covering Kildare and west Wicklow. This issue has come up quite a number of times. Only recently, about three weeks ago, there was a consultation meeting on the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Diseases (9 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: From what the Minister of State said, I feel that he has a grasp of the situation and he understands it. It is good that the licences have been given out and that the Departments are looking at re-establishing the Irish Deer Management Forum. Those actions are important. The Department within which the Minister of State is based must take responsibility for deer when they are associated...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Diseases (9 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business. Yesterday, 8 November, was Equal Pay Day. Women in Ireland are effectively working for free for the final 14.4% of the year, according to research published today by WorkEqual. It is always important that we note Equal Pay Day because closing the gender pay gap is extremely important. Although legislation has been introduced in the form of the Gender Pay...

Seanad: Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People: Statements (9 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State. We are glad to have her here for this important debate. I came across a quote recently and thought it worth sharing: "The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away." I want to talk about spirit in a number of ways. The first is the Minister of State's own spirit. She has the spirit of empathy, courage and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. Today is international day against violence and bullying at school, including cyberbullying. UNESCO member states decided to designate it such because they recognise schools-based violence and cyberbullying are particularly difficult for children and adolescents. Cyberbullying has been increasing significantly, as we know. DCU has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Disability Services with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their brave, strong and compelling testimonies. I have had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Harris on several occasions previously, but it has been really good, and humbling, to listen to all the other witnesses this morning. I totally agree with the comments of Mr. Doyle in respect of intellectual disability and autism being the one sector that can be pre-planned...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of public transport and commend the Senators who tabled the motion. There is no doubt that we need to increase investment in public transport infrastructure. If we are to truly move to a greener society, live up to our obligations to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 then people must increase their...