Results 1,121-1,140 of 5,755 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Engagement with Trade Unions on Keeping Schools Open: Discussion (19 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have many little notes scribbled down, so I hope I can make sense of them during my six minutes. First, I wish to echo and re-emphasise our huge gratitude and appreciation of the whole school community and every single school in respect of the reopening the schools and keeping them opened. We can never say it enough. We appreciate also the leadership that was shown, because it was not...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support Senator Craughwell's call for a debate in the House on the terms of the commission on the future of the Defence Forces. I was very pleased, along with Deputy Chambers, to ensure that in the programme for Government there really were strong commitments on the Defence Forces.I was pleased to hear yesterday's announcement by the Department of Education that all new primary and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (18 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It was very refreshing to listen to Professor Quinn and I wish him the best of luck in his very important role. I have no doubt, in light of what he shared with us, that he is the right person for the job. He outlined the whole notion of bridging abstract ideas and making them pragmatic and practical on the ground. That is his role, working with us, and I have no doubt we can work together...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Debenhams workers on day 222 of their campaign and I will be proud to stand with them outside the Dáil later. I raise the issue of the report that the HSE national safeguarding office published last week, which makes for grim reading. As we all know, adults are at risk of different types of abuse or neglect in their family homes and residential settings around the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I am delighted that my Commencement matter is being taken but it is interesting that I have come here from a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, where both the Minister for Education and the Minister of State at the Department of Education are appearing. I asked whether...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. At least I have the sense that this proposed new school has moved to stage 2 in respect of site assessment and that following that, it will be moving to architectural planning stage. I certainly welcome that. I again emphasise the significant issues relating to timelines to which we need to try to adhere. We could very well reach a situation where within two...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to bring this important Bill before the Seanad this evening. It represents an important step forward in the pursuit of equality and justice for all our citizens. As a constitutional republican party, Fianna Fáil has always been committed to fighting discrimination in all its forms. The Bill seeks to tackle hate crimes...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On a procedural point, do I have the opportunity to respond to some of the comments made next time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Priorities and the Effects of Covid-19 on the Education System: Department of Education (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My apologies for leaving the Chamber. I had been booked for a Commencement debate on education and was then told the Minister and the Minister of State would be at the education committee. I said I knew that because I was planning to attend this meeting. The Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, took the matter in the absence of the Minister, Deputy Foley. I was pressing the need for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Priorities and the Effects of Covid-19 on the Education System: Department of Education (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Priorities and the Effects of Covid-19 on the Education System: Department of Education (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate that the Minister has responded on the accommodation for leaving certificate 2021. I believe there needs to be a larger element of choice than has already been disseminated through the schools. On the review of DEIS and school transport, I am aware that these two issues are on the Minister's radar. Will the Minister give us an update on that? The school completion programme...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Priorities and the Effects of Covid-19 on the Education System: Department of Education (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2020: Motion (12 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I remember the palpable excitement two years ago concerning Technological University Dublin, TU Dublin, attaining its status. There was a realisation of the large number of opportunities it could provide, which have since come true. It is great that we are at the point of a second technological university coming into play. We all know of the legendary rivalry between Cork and Kerry, but it...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to speak about the Safe Ireland report published yesterday. I am conscious it was mentioned earlier. The research is traumatic. It is deeply upsetting to see how many people are suffering from domestic violence. The number of women and children who contacted services for the very first time during the first six months of the Covid pandemic is eye watering. Some 3,450 women and 589...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Military Service at Jadotville in 1961: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is fitting that we have this debate today on the 102nd anniversary of the end of the First World War and in commemoration of the 49,000 Irish soldiers who lost their lives during that war. Having the opportunity to address our war heroes who were at Jadotville is significant. On a personal level, I wish to mention Sergeant John Lynch who died in Lebanon in 1997. I was teaching his...

Seanad: Disability Day Services: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss the reopening of day services in the disability sector. I believe people with disabilities and their families have arguably been one of the sectors most disadvantaged by Covid. The closure of disability services in March took away a lifeline for many people and families. There have been very disturbing repercussions for users...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank our guests for their engagement. Just listening to the lived experience and the experience of those working and advocating for others, it strikes me more than ever that the last thing any of our guests want or need, and the last thing anybody with a disability needs, is another talking shop in this committee. We have to be ambitious and clear about what we can do within our term and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is good and I am glad to hear that. Dr. McDonagh mentioned shame and stigma earlier and she recognises that some people feel those things. I am really pleased to hear what she has said. I had intended to continue by saying that while the untapped potential of many disabled people is huge in terms of the contributions they can make to society, they are not empowered to do so at this...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I raise the issue of student nurses in the context of what is happening in Naas General Hospital at the moment. In that hospital, which is my county hospital, 35 nurses and ten healthcare staff are not present due to Covid restrictions, so the existing staff are under huge pressure. Many concerns have been raised about the situation within the hospital itself, for example, within a block of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Cards (10 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: When anyone is faced with a difficult health diagnosis, particularly if it is terminal, it is simply life shattering for that person and his or her family and close friends. Apart from the emotional impact and the stress about diagnosis, treatment and the financial impact, there is the significant concern about whether a person can afford to pay for treatment or get a medical card and if he...