Results 1,161-1,180 of 5,823 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Where is Santa for the councillors?

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Effective local democracy is the absolute cornerstone of a functioning society and that respecting and valuing the work that local councillors do is very important, as is supporting with resources the work that needs to happen at local government level.

Seanad: Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, who is present, and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for absolutely prioritising this legislation. It is among the most important legislation to come before the Houses this year. The fact that it was prioritised in the programme for Government sends a very strong message to the perpetrators of these vile online crimes that their actions are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (17 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being present to take the matter but I must express my disappointment that the Minister for Defence is not here to listen to our points and give us the basis for his reason to not include the Department of Defence from the terms of reference. When this commission was announced it was good news. It was in the programme for Government and it was something...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (17 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: May I just come in for a moment?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (17 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate that. The relationship between a Minister and his or her Department is completely different from the relationship between a Department and those whom it purports to serve. It is not good enough for the Minister to simply state he has always had a good experience. If this issue is not addressed, the commission will be made unworkable. I accept the point the Minister of State...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I again acknowledge how this difficult this time during the Covid-19 pandemic is on those people impacted in respect of their health or financially, as well as for those at the forefront in the workplace in dealing with the health problems which arise. We cannot lose sight of the small things which would make a difference in respect of what our country is going through now. We spoke...

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...