Results 101-120 of 5,755 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Oct 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I second the proposal.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Oct 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I want to-----

Seanad: Maternity Protection Bill 2024: Second Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. We have had many conversations both formal and informal with regard to the two main provisions in this Bill. Maternity leave is very important. It is a very precious time for babies and for their parents, mainly mums. In the past, we know that on average, approximately 60 women per year have cancer and have to undergo difficult and severe...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the lovely words he said about our colleague and friend, Mary O'Rourke. She was a formidable lady, a wonderful person and was great craic. She had a strong conviction about politics and the need to do good within our own communities and within any role in parliament or at local authority level. Most of all she was a people's person. She had a great interest...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Oct 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I rise to play tribute to a former colleague and friend and a member of the Cathaoirleach's party - Micheál "Spike" Nolan. He was a true Kildare person and a true Newbridge person. I soldiered with Micheál on Newbridge Town Council, and with his dad prior to that, and on Kildare County Council. Micheál served as mayor of Kildare twice and ran for the Seanad. Many people...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We are very conscious of the difficult and escalating situation in Lebanon. The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence is in daily contact with those from Ireland who are serving there, and there is every possibility the areas of Lebanon in which Irish peacekeepers operate will be targeted by Israeli Defense Forces missiles. Many local people in my area, south Kildare, take part in such...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I think it is his first time here since he was elevated and he is very welcome. We look forward to working with him. If I had realised that he was coming into the Chamber today I would have put in a different Commencement matter regarding fair fares for commuters living 50 km outside Dublin, particularly those in Newbridge and Kildare.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I engaged with him quite a bit over the summer on the NTA's delay in implementing the fair fares and the new agreed structure that is now Government policy. I am quite hopeful that the Minister of State will soon have positive news for us and the commuters who have been dependent on this fare change. I look forward to that happening. Turning to the meat in the sandwich on the Curragh...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I could say much more about this issue but I am very willing to listen to what the Minister of State has to say. I hope he has some positive news for us.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Great.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Policies (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for agreeing we would meet possibly as early as next week about the fair fares, which I appreciate. I thank him for his response on behalf of the Tánaiste. I am heartened by the response in that the Department officials are engaging with the Chief State Solicitor to identify legal avenues that can be pursued to address the illegal encampments in the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. On behalf of the people of Kildare, can I say how pleased we are to have had €8.3 million in sports grants awarded to the county late last night? It is really important news. Our sports centres and volunteers are the lifeblood of our community. On behalf of those who may have been disappointed at being invalidated for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome everybody back. I think this is going to be an interesting term, if not an exciting one as well. I extend my sincere sympathies to the family of Robert Deegan, who was killed in battle last Thursday in Ukraine. Robert lived in Athy but he spent his youth in Newbridge, living in The Oaks where he went to the local Patrician Secondary School. I knew Robert. He was involved in the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined. It was good news to hear over the weekend that the HSE recruitment freeze was ending today. This is very important, not only for the people who need the services of the HSE but also for HSE staff. There will be an opportunity to recruit new staff and regularise 2,000 existing positions. It is also important to note the expansion of the flu...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thought he was afraid I leaving him out. It is important because it is our last week to mention the ongoing serious situation in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire proposals on the table and ongoing negotiations, we saw an expansion of the Israeli military operation in Gaza which resulted in the deaths of dozens and the destruction of healthcare, education and humanitarian facilities. We have...

Seanad: Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My time is up. I have plenty more to say.

Seanad: Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend the Bill and support the principle of it. Human relationships are complex and many young people are bombarded with information. A lot of it is information they do not seek out and this is because they have smartphones and are accessing the Internet. Many online and mostly unregulated sources do not provide them with the most accurate and appropriate information. We know a lot of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I welcome Senator Bradley. She is incredibly welcome. It is a great honour to be nominated to the Seanad Chamber. It is lovely to see her family and fiancé with her. When we became Members of this Seanad it was during Covid and we were in the Convention Centre Dublin. We could not have family or friends with us. I urge Senator Bradley to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (10 Jul 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair. I welcome the Minister of State and the officials. I suppose there are four different aspects that I will ask about. First, in relation to the EPSEN Act, as the Minister of State will be aware, the committee has recommended a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN Act. I would appreciate any feedback or update in relation to any...