Results 1,101-1,120 of 5,756 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (16 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The issue I want to raise before the House, and it is not the first time that I have spoken about it here, is the area of hereditary amyloidosis. Like many Members, I would not have heard about this very debilitating and difficult disease if it had not affected somebody that I know very well. Pat Tinsley is a well known and well loved member of the Newbridge community whose life has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (16 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have listened closely to what the Minister of State has said and I accept that last February and July, a decision was made in the negative on patisiran but things have changed rapidly. The fact that an extra €50 million was included in the budget in order to treat rare diseases is important and an absolute game changer. I accept, of course, that there has to be criteria for the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There is one woman on my mind this morning. Indeed, she has been on my mind all night since I saw her last night on "Prime Time". Anybody who saw and heard Geraldine Mullan from Moville in Donegal either last night or this morning could not have been but so incredibly moved by her loss, grief and sense of dignity and the very strong message she wanted to give to everybody. Geraldine lost...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Effects of Covid-19 on Further Education and Training: Discussion (10 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I was following the debate in my office with great interest. I do not necessarily want to repeat what has been said, but I wish to focus on two matters. The question of literacy has been mentioned. Last year, I met Ms Helen Ryan of the National Adult Literacy Agency, NALA. I was shocked by some of the statistics on literacy that she presented to us. For example, Ireland is ranked 17th...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Effects of Covid-19 on Further Education and Training: Discussion (10 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is it from me.

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Senator who finished with one second to go. That is absolutely superb timekeeping. I completely agree with him on trying to make things easy. Affordable accessible public transport, as well as ensuring those who use electric vehicles do not have to suffer that charging panic, is hugely important.

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is always tricky for a gentleman to buy for his wife.

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Senator should speak through the Chair, but I will allow it.

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I cannot allow anyone in. We were supposed to finish at 6 p.m. but it has gone past 6 p.m.

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Of course. I thank the Minister for his interest, his openness and his commitment to consulting. It is very important. When we talk about social justice and people who do not have cars, we have to talk about the social choice as well. Many people make a choice not to have a car and, therefore, need public transport and so on.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I raise the issue of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017, which will be coming before us soon. I spoke about this issue some weeks ago, and I also acknowledge the role of the Labour Party, and Deputy Howlin in particular, in tabling this legislation, which is also known as Coco's law.This Bill is hugely important for banning cyberbullying, stalking and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Horticulture Sector (8 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The matter I raise today relates to the importance of the horticultural peat industry to the Irish economy and the threat arising from unprecedented legal and planning problems facing the industry. As we know, peat is used in horticulture, particularly as a growing medium by both amateur and professional gardeners, professional growers and the mushroom, forestry and soft fruit industry. At...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Horticulture Sector (8 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is good to know the horticulture sector is researching alternatives for peat. While we are waiting for the alternatives to be developed, I ask that people would be able to continue to harvest the peat necessary. It is a concern that the working group has not yet met and a chair of it has not been appointed, but I assume it will start work...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I fully endorse and support amendment No. 3 in the name of Senator Casey. I ask the Minister to take on board the issues the Senators have raised. I had the opportunity to raise this matter with the Minister of State myself. This is the wrong way to go. At this late stage, I call on the Government to reconsider this measure. Covid-19 has had a hugely negative impact on our retail...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I fully endorse the call from my colleague, Senator Dooley, for a debate on community employment schemes. Many of them are the heartbeat of our communities, particularly rural communities. They do a great deal such as organising Tidy Towns, Meals on Wheels, etc. We also need to look at the conditions for scheme supervisors. There has been a long-standing call for a pension scheme for...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for being present during this important week. We have discussed and debated Brexit for four years and finally we are almost at that point. Four weeks from Friday, the UK will be outside the EU Single Market and customs union. From 1 January next, how we, as a country, trade with the UK will be dramatically different.Considering all the valuable work the Minister,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I completely endorse the idea of green Friday. The amount of money that is leaving this country day after day is frightening, particularly as we are heading into black Friday and cyber Monday, when we will see courier vans going around every town, village and estate. We have to send a strong message to everybody to support our local businesses and shops that support our local communities....

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: There is no doubt that the past few months have been the most difficult that we have ever seen, with difficult political decisions that had to be made regarding Covid. They had to be made quickly while not knowing what was coming down the line but we had a sense of what had happened before and what we had seen in China and Italy. There was an effort to save our citizens and give everybody...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I would like to address a number of issues to the Leader and to the House, the first of which relates to Tusla. There is a very disturbing report in this morning's newspapers in regard to Tusla and the problems within that agency. The specific issues mentioned are a lack of consistency in how Tusla operates and the retention of staff, which is a particular concern. There are many fine...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I congratulate the GAA and Croke Park on the wonderfully emotive and moving ceremony held over the weekend to commemorate those who died on Bloody Sunday. It was also very moving to see Tipperary winning its provincial title match, for the first time since 1935, and Cavan winning its match as well.All in all it was a great weekend for sport. It raises the hairs on the back of one's neck to...