Results 1,141-1,160 of 5,755 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for being here to take this matter. I also thank her for clarifying exactly where we are with regard to this. Of course, I acknowledge that this was in the programme for Government. I have fought for this and have been very struck by those going through this, no more than during the presentation in the AV room, which the Minister of State...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (10 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. While the news on the incidence of Covid-19 among the Irish population is good, now is certainly not the time to let down our guard. We must be as consistent and vigilant as possible. Today also brings good news regarding the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer. While we are in this difficult situation and our hard-working public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades 2020 and Preparations for Leaving Certificate 2021: Department of Education (10 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Mr. Tattan, Dr. Hislop and Ms Feeney are very welcome. The committee appreciates their time. This is a very important topic. It is also an emotive one. I am thinking of the 60,000 students who are preparing to take the leaving certificate in 2021 and the 60,000 who completed their leaving certificate in 2020 but still have questions regarding the process that was in place. I have had...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I fully endorse the views of my colleague, Senator Flynn, who called for support for our healthcare workers. When President-elect Biden takes office the first thing we will do is look for support for the undocumented Irish. It is about time we faced up to the undocumented here and showed them similar respect. The migrant healthcare workers who have given such service, compassion and support...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: First Stage (6 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision for hate crime; the imposition of a heavier penalty on an offender whose commission of a relevant offence (a list of which is contained in the Schedule to this Act) is accompanied by hate crime against an individual based on said individual's asylum or refugee status, race, colour, religion, nationality,...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: First Stage (6 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Wednesday, 11 November.

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid - Matters on the Business of the Seanad (5 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Today is a new day, and this morning we received better news on the airwaves when we woke up regarding what is happening in America. Let us hope that by the end of today or tomorrow we will see the return of integrity, decency and honesty to the White House. I too support of the Debenhams workers. I participated in the online Zoom call with shop stewards and other Oireachtas Members...

Seanad: Biodiversity: Motion (5 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am delighted to support the motion tabled by the Green Party. It follows an amendment that my party tabled in the Dáil last year that made Ireland only the second country in the world to declare a biodiversity emergency. Without doubt there is an emergency. We all learn from the people around us and we have all learned a great deal from David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, most...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools: Discussion (5 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the opportunity to speak second because I have to go the Seanad for the Order of Business. The witnesses are very welcome. This is a very emotional but very interesting topic. It is one of the biggest challenges of our times in education when we consider some of the research that has been carried out show the levels of anxiety among young people, to show that one in three is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools: Discussion (5 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their contributions and for their responses to the questions. We have a significant problem. It has always been there but, with the advent of social media, it has escalated to a different level. Whereas, before, if young people were bullied in school or in the school yard, at least they were away from bullying while they were away from the school. However, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (4 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for being here and for their commitment to disability services. They have a large task with many challenges ahead of them. Indeed, we as a committee have a large task as well in helping to identify those challenges and trying to work collaboratively to make practical recommendations that will make people's lives easier because that is what it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (4 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Okay. The Minister and the Minister of State will get my message. The final issue I wish to mention relates to personal budgeting. That can be a good way forward. We should remember the volunteer-based organisations other than the section 39 organisations. I refer to Down Syndrome Ireland. The work of that organisation in County Kildare is absolutely fantastic. It runs wonderful...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister has always been a very strong and firm advocate for housing for all. He recognises, as we all do, that everyone aspires to having a safe and secure home. Our home is our castle. It is where we can feel safe, which is extremely important. The Minister, through this Bill, will ensure that tenants have that security during this time of crisis. It is good that the legislation...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services Provision (22 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to this House. It is the first time I have had the chance to publicly congratulate her on her appointment as Minister of State. I have no doubt that with her work ethic and compassion, she will make a big difference to the lives of people with a disability. I also want to say well done to the Minister of State on securing a significant...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services Provision (22 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for that response. It is certainly good news that therapy can continue through level 5. I had asked the Minister of State to Kildare to meet representatives of KARE and the Muiríosa Foundation. She had committed to doing that during October but the restrictions mean that cannot happen. When we talk about redeployment, there are two different kinds. We...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I endorse, support and second Senator Gavan's call. It is really important. We have to examine human rights throughout the world and see what we can do. The issue I raise relates to my friend, Pat Tinsley, whom I have spoken about in the House previously. Pat and 29 others have been diagnosed with amyloidosis. No treatment is available in this country, although it is available in...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I was very saddened during the week, as I have no doubt all of us were, when we got an email from Senator Norris telling us that, sadly, Cathal Martin had passed away. During the debate on Senator Norris's Bill three weeks ago, he and Senator Casey spoke very passionately and compassionately about Cathal and the difficulties he had in life. On behalf of my grouping, I extend our deepest...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I draw the attention of the Leader to justice, which is hugely important to all of us, specifically District Court area 25, County Kildare. In this District Court we have twice the number of cases that are in many other jurisdictions, so we have a situation where cases dealing with important matters such as child custody, access and maintenance are not being heard. I know of a particular...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for attending to listen to our comments, observations and concerns. Undoubtedly, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is investigating one of the darkest periods in Irish history. Mother and baby homes represent some of the worst aspects of our collective history and humanity. Their existence was underpinned by a complex web of culpability and...