Results 1,221-1,240 of 5,828 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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...

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am sharing time. The Minister is most welcome to the Chamber. This is my first opportunity to congratulate him publicly on attaining high office and I wish him well. He has certainly started in the manner in which he means to go on. I have always considered him very positive, pragmatic and practical, and that is stamped throughout the budget. It is the first time in a decade that Fianna...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Election of Vice Chairman (14 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I congratulate both.

Seanad: Leaving Certificate 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Foley, back to the House. It has been such a difficult time for the students of 2020 and their parents, teachers, the Department of Education and Skills and, indeed, the Minister, who inherited a strange legacy. The word on "unprecedented" has been much bandied about over the past few months but truly the task faced by the Department of Education and Skills...

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I thank Senators Mullen and McDowell for tabling this very important motion. A very realistic and grim picture of human rights abuses has been painted. When we think about families and communities and how they are impacted it is absolutely horrific. We cannot be silent in the face of this elaborate campaign of oppression and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Election of Vice Chairman (8 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair. I thank my proposer and seconder also and thank the members for their support. I certainly look forward to working with the Chairman and with all of the members. When I became Chair of the committee almost five years ago, Tara was the first clerk to the committee. I can absolutely attest to how wonderful she is to work with. Of course, we had Niamh for our final 12...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (7 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State back to the Chamber. She has been a most frequent visitor since the Seanad reconvened and she was appointed to her position. I know of her compassion for older people. In her past life as a Deputy she was co-chairman of the all-party committee on dementia and did incredible work on the issue. We could not have anybody more suited to the position she now...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (7 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. It is welcome that the existing support hours are to be doubled in order to fully support those who need it, including people with dementia. The new dementia advisers are also welcome. An average of 11 people per day are diagnosed with dementia. That means that, since this Government came into being 102 days ago, approximately 1,122 people have been...