Results 1,201-1,220 of 5,823 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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...

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...