Results 1-20 of 5,821 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on nursing homes and care for older persons, to be taken at 11.15 a.m. or on conclusion of the Order of Business, whichever is the later, and to conclude at 1 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: This morning's business started with Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, who has been consistent in supporting the people of Gaza and calling out the genocide and war crimes of Israel. The lack of progress and unanimity as to how Europe can support those living in Gaza and the West Bank and call out Israel on its war crimes is, as the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said, a stain on Europe's...

Seanad: Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (26 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to the Chamber.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. It is always good to see him. I raise an issue that I also raised last week. I decided to submit a Commencement matter on it. It relates to a course in the Ballyfermot College of Music, which does excellent work. It has a specific course, a two-year higher national diploma in traditional Irish music performance and traineeship in instrument...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. His response is certainly more positive than I had anticipated in terms of my conversations with those in the sector. I acknowledge that the Minister, Deputy Lawless, said to me that under his stewardship no apprenticeship programme would be cut. That is why I was concerned when I learned about this. I am very happy that the programme is not being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also extend a welcome to the chargé d'affaires from Slovenia, a beautiful country that I had the opportunity to visit, and to Councillor Niall Kelleher, his aunt, mum and son Noah, who, I understand, is very interested in politics and very involved in Comhairle na nÓg. I hope they have an interesting and good day in Leinster House. When driving here this morning, I listened to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will give the Cathaoirleach the date.

Seanad: Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill 2024: Second Stage (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. I wish her well in her very important portfolio, with the many challenges it has. I acknowledge and commend Senator Clonan on his Bill. I was happy to sign it. I am happy to support it. I have always been an advocate of personalised budgets. I have some personal experience also, which I bring to bear. Throughout the disability matters...

Committee on European Union Affairs: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (25 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank all who have presented on this important topic. We must not forget David Donoghue, of course, because Ireland and Kenya really steered the formulation of the 15 SDGs and did sterling work in this regard. The points Mr. McGeady has just made on how we make the SDGs relatable to everybody, so schoolchildren and councillors in their meeting rooms know what we are talking about, are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (24 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this Commencement matter. I know she has a particular interest in County Kildare because she told me previously that her mam is from Ballymore Eustace in south Kildare. I am sure all the Minister of State's relatives there are very proud of her success. Fair play to her. I am raising the issue of a proposed secondary school that will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (24 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. It is welcome news indeed that a number of tenders have been received and are currently being reviewed, and that the report of the review team will then be submitted to the Department. What is sadly lacking in the response is a commitment to the end date and to enabling students to start in August 2026. I appreciate that a number of steps must be gone...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I take this opportunity to wish the organisers of the Kildare Derby Festival well. On Sunday, the 160th Irish Derby will be held. Many will be travelling to the Curragh for the festival. Indeed, many will be travelling to Kildare town as the week progresses.A lot of really good activities are planned, including a Jack L concert in the cathedral tomorrow night. Unfortunately, with possible...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice of welcome to the ambassador. It was lovely to meet her earlier. We had an opportunity to discuss the collaboration between the University of Limerick and Luxembourg. My nephew, Joe O'Loughlin, participated in that last year and spent six wonderful months in Luxembourg. What really got his attention was the free public transport. When he returned he asked why we could not...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Curragh Camp is a very special place in County Kildare and nationally. It was a thriving community but is not so much now, sadly, because a lot of facilities have been moved from there and a lot of the accommodation for married people and families is no longer available. At the same time, many families were reared in the Curragh Camp. There is still a military community and two schools...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I know he has a sense of the historical, social, cultural and architectural importance of both buildings. I am pleased about this and that he recognises the buildings' significance. I acknowledge that the Department of Defence was not involved in the decision to discontinue the use of the post office. The decision on the fire station was a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our sympathies to the family of Carmencita Hederman. I remember being fascinated by her as a young child. She was one of the first women in politics that young girls could identify with. She was very much herself. She had a very strong voice and she used it in all of the areas she was concerned and passionate about. I also add my voice of...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. I am delighted to have the opportunity to formally congratulate her on her position. I do not know how she does all that she does in being an excellent public representative for the people of Cavan-Monaghan - constituency politics is demanding in itself - while also being able to take on a very challenging portfolio with such gusto and...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: A vote has been called in the Dáil so we must suspend the House.

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I have received several messages.

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I propose that we suspend the sitting for the duration of the Dáil vote.