Results 21-40 of 5,556 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate we had both Ministers in the House to debate the motion. We all agree that while a lot of work is being done in the area in terms of providing capital funds for building new schools etc., the process of actually building schools needs to be streamlined because we have heard references to this right around the country. Senator Wall and I have spoken about the situation in County...

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday at 1 p.m.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: First, I want to add my voice of welcome to Senator Malachai O'Hara. I look forward to working with him in a collaborative and positive way. It is lovely for him to have members of his family here. When all of us here were elected, it was during Covid so we had our first sitting in the Convention Centre and could not invite any family members or supporters. His family being here today is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Issues for the Department of Education: Minister for Education (10 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister and her officials for coming before us today. She touched on a lot of key issues across many important areas, including special education, transport, STEM subjects and the school building unit. I will ask about a few issues. The Minister mentioned the RSE programme. The women's caucus here in the Oireachtas has decided that this year it will like to focus on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Issues for the Department of Education: Minister for Education (10 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Role of Disabled Persons Organisations and Self Advocacy in Providing Equal Opportunities under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Implementation: Discussion (8 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I find myself in the humbling position of having to try to respond to the issues the witnesses have all raised. I say this in a very genuine way with a view to responding to their bravery and courage in sharing how their lives have been impacted. They have dealt with very adversarial situations in their lives and how their lives have been altered in terms of everything from employment to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will take this opportunity to wish the President a very speedy recovery. As we know, he will be in hospital until Thursday. It is fair to say that he has solidified his role at the heart of Irish public life. Many of us are looking forward to seeing him back in Áras an Uachtaráin, continuing to deliver for us as Head of State. Having a parent unwell in hospital is not an easy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Allocations of Special Education Teachers: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair. I apologise for not being in the room. I was at another committee. In addition, we are in a voting situation today. The witnesses will have to excuse me if I may not be able to stay to listen and respond. I have my colleagues on alert to come in and get me. I thank the witnesses for being here and for the work they do in supporting families and those who need extra...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Allocations of Special Education Teachers: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: But the school to which I refer is losing a teacher.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business, as outlined, and welcome our guests. I want to talk first about two very positive events which I attended. It is really down to the power of parents doing good things for their children. Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to attend a coffee morning organised by Kathleen Murphy and the Kildare branch of Down's Syndrome Ireland which was held in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society: Discussion (28 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach and witnesses. In particular, I thank Ms Byrne for telling us about her experience and advocating for her peers. We really appreciate her making the effort to be here. It is important for us to hear from her and her peers regarding their experience and wishes in terms of the type of education they want. We can then make recommendations on that basis. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Aids and Appliances (27 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Last week, I raised concerns related to HSE-funded post-mastectomy products in the House. I am really glad that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, showed real leadership and intervened as he recognised that the threshold of support provided under those new procedures may lead to some women receiving less support than before. He asked the HSE to amend the procedures to ensure that no woman who...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Aids and Appliances (27 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. In her reply, she stated it was important to note "that the new proposed procedure in respect of hair loss was for cancer provision only and had no impact on non-cancer related alopecia patients". I take from that that those suffering from alopecia will still be entitled to the same allowance as before. That is bringing clarity and I thank the Minister of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Aids and Appliances (27 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the efforts of the Minister of State.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I congratulate the Houses of the Oireachtas on winning the advancing disability equality award for organisations in the workplace with the OWL programme. The award was made at the Irish Centre for Diversity national awards. It is wonderful to see the Houses of the Oireachtas being recognised for this. We are the first and only parliament to organise an internship for young people from KARE...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome our esteemed guests from the Canadian delegation. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our sympathies on the sudden passing of our friend as well as our colleague, Michael O'Regan. Michael was always incredibly fair and just. In particular, he always saw the person behind the politician and always went out of his way to try to make sure that people were comfortable...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Travelling into Dublin this morning, I listened to Chief Imam Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, chairperson of the Muslim council, speak about the horrific attack he underwent last Thursday evening. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I condemn the attack which shows a clear need for the hate legislation to come back before the House to be dealt with. I also mention the death of the Russian...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach. When I was 13, my parents bought me The Diary of A Young Girlby Anne Frank. It is something I have always treasured. It was the first time I really learned about man's inhumanity to man. Coincidentally, I was the same age as Anne Frank was when she started writing her diary. I felt I could identify with a lot of what she was talking about. Obviously, I could...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (20 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I propose: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Order of the House today, statements will conclude at 6.20 p.m. and No. 4 will be taken immediately thereafter.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will support the Order of Business as outlined by the Acting Leader. I commend the actions taken by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in working with Spain to write to the European Commissioner looking for an urgent review of the trade agreement with Israel on the basis of human rights abuses. Obviously, the EU-Israel association agreement is an important trade agreement, so it is...