Results 1,181-1,200 of 5,755 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I accept that. Senator Gavan mentioned the Debenhams workers. There is a Debenhams in Newbridge, in Kildare South, where I live, and I have been very proud to stand with the workers, and did so over the weekend. There are a lot of negotiations going on behind the scenes. I note that the Taoiseach met Debenhams workers yesterday. He has also been in contact with the liquidator in the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: "The Wind That Shakes the Barley".

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We had International Bog Day on 26 July. As someone born and reared on the Bog of Allen, I am proud to highlight our wonderful bogs. Our attitude to our bogs has changed in the recent decades. They are now seen as areas with beautiful plants, lovely wildlife and landscape and as greatly important in countering climate change.In the past our bogs were seen as sources of fuel and employment....

Seanad: Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words about the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020, which gives effect to the July stimulus package which we were all anxiously awaiting. In the main, we are happy with the 50 provisions that were put in place. This stimulus package is, of course, another step in the State response to the global pandemic emergency. It is most welcome...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I want to speak for a moment or two about the disability protests outside the Convention Centre this morning. I joined the carers, parents and families assembled there. It was not just frustration and anger that were palpable, but also huge despair. People really feel they are at the end of their tether. A group called Enough is Enough organised this particular protest. This story is not...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister and wish her well in the task she has ahead of her. I commend her on the work she has done over the past four weeks. I am happy to support this Bill, which puts the pandemic unemployment payment on a formal statutory basis, which is very important. It allows for paid social insurance contributions for employees directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which is...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I congratulate the Minister sincerely. I worked closely with her over the past four years on the education committee and in the women's caucus. She is a politician of deep conviction and a woman who is passionate about her county. I have no doubt that those will be matched by ambition and vision for the Department she now leads. I understand that the Minister might be visiting Kildare in...

Seanad: Education: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to address the very many valid concerns of Members of this House. I congratulate the Minister and wish her well in her new position. I met her before either of us ever had designs on the Houses of the Oireachtas, probably in 2001, when the Minister was chairperson of Tralee host town committee welcoming Special Olympians to the town. At that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On Sunday, we lost an inspirational woman who showed great bravery and courage in her public fight to take on the health services and expose how she was let down. We were all hugely saddened by Ruth Morrissey's passing. We express our deepest sympathies to her husband, Paul, and her darling daughter, Libby, to whom she always referred as her little butterfly. Ruth was brave and courageous....

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leader for yesterday agreeing to bring in two Ministers before the House goes into recess but I ask her to also invite the Minister for Education and Skills. Last week, I raised some concerns about the challenges facing students and teachers in schools that hope to reopen in late August and September. It is vital that we be given the opportunity to engage with the Minister on...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: "What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality." Never a truer set of words were said. Being in politics, and I am sure it is the same for many of us, we all at times struggle with self-doubt and struggle in dealing with the impact of social media and other aspects on ourselves. There is a complete onus on us to protect our own mental health and that of the nation. The impact of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On Tuesday, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland released a report called Life After Lockdown. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to read its findings and it was a very dark and disturbing read. Pre-Covid life was very difficult for those who suffered from dementia and their carers, so we can only begin to imagine what their lives are like now. We are now informed by extensive research that shows...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I assure Senator Craughwell that, as a Kildare Senator and somebody who fought hard on behalf of the Defence Forces in the Dáil over the past four years, I will continue to do that and he will not be on his own. I want to take up Senator Warfield on his comments. He said that An Taoiseach has not said anything on proposals for extending maternity leave. In fact, An Taoiseach said that...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Is mór an onóir é a bheith anseo. Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an iar-Chathaoirleach, an Seanadóir Denis O’Donovan. It is not my first time to speak in the Seanad. I had that opportunity last year when, along with Senator Bacik, we hosted a session in the Seanad Chamber with the most wonderful young people from around our country. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (18 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 205. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 24 October 2019, the status of the matter. [53582/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (18 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 296. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 190 new beds he announced recently which will go to Naas General Hospital; when the new beds will be introduced into hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53580/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (18 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 297. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied) [53583/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (18 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 298. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in Monasterevin, County Kildare; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53584/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (18 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 299. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in Kildare town; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53585/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services Provision (18 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: 300. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in Athy, County Kildare; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53586/19]