Results 161-180 of 5,556 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Care Payments: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the debate and appreciate the Senators’ having put forward the motion. In many ways, as the Minister will be well aware, carers are the backbone of this country given the care and support they provide for their loved ones. As that takes a huge toll, the Government has an important role in supporting carers to give the care they want to give. There are many cases where that...

Seanad: Situation in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory: Statements (12 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak on this really difficult international situation. I had the opportunity many years ago to spend six months in Israel on a kibbutz. It was very close to the Gaza Strip; it was about six miles from there. I had the opportunity to see how partnership could work when people want it to.There were a number of Palestinians working on...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words on Brendan Daly, a wonderful character and politician. I believe that, sadly, his brother John passed away yesterday so it is a double tragedy and bereavement for the family. Sadly, last night we heard that Ben Briscoe passed away, another great Fianna Fáil stalwart.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: He gave 37 years of his life to Leinster House, and he was Lord Mayor of Dublin also. He was proud of his party and of Dublin, his city. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. I know we will have an opportunity to pay tribute to him at another stage. I had the opportunity on Thursday to be in Lullymore Heritage Park, which is a wonderful place to visit in north-west Kildare. It was the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Developing a Legal Framework for Assisted Dying: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their insightful statements and submissions. In his statement, Professor Jones said that to introduce a measure in Ireland would be a radical and unprecedented change if it enabled assisted dying. I agree that it would be radical and unprecedented. He went on to say that countries that have introduced assisted dying in some form have abandoned the principle of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Can I say how pleased I was to be at a reception last night to see off our team as it heads to the Women's World Cup. It was fantastic to see the energy and enthusiasm in the room. On behalf of all of us, I wish the team and the backroom team, which does so much good, the very best of luck. In particular, I want mention the team's physiotherapist Susie Coffey, who is from Newbridge in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome Maggie Owens and Aideen Lynch, teachers at the Holy Family School for the Deaf, Cabra. They just appeared at the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. I welcome them both and I am glad they have the opportunity to sit in and listen to some of the proceedings in the Chamber. It has been a particularly sad weekend for deaths in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Legal Protections and Sanctions: Discussion (4 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses. They have outlined complex areas. Given the short period for asking questions, I will pose a question to each of them. My first question is for Dr. Mills, who spoke about the Fleming case and the fact the Supreme Court recognised that this is a very complex social issue. There is no doubt that legislation brought into being by these Houses sends a message no matter...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Legal Protections and Sanctions: Discussion (4 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Legal Protections and Sanctions: Discussion (4 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Dr. Mills has, but I also asked about conscientious objection.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Legal Protections and Sanctions: Discussion (4 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Professor Huxtable spoke about a reduced offence that could be introduced. He referred to compassionate killing as a type of compromise. How does that differ from legalising assisted dying and maintaining the status quo? Either we do it or we do not. I am not sure how the compromise fits in, so perhaps Professor Huxtable will enlighten me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education Needs of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students: Discussion (4 Jul 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Ms Mannion and all the officials. I will ask them a little more about a few areas. It is certainly positive to hear about the ISL bachelor of education professional qualification. I wish those four who have graduated the very best of luck. That is a landmark that cannot go unnoticed. We look forward to more people having the opportunity. The standard of new buildings now and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. There are several issues that I wish to raise. The disability matters committee has had really good engagement on deafness and hearing loss. Hearing loss has often been referred to as an invisible disability, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms but because it has been really stigmatised. There is invisibility in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: At the outset, I compliment the Cathaoirleach on the two special events we have had since we met yesterday, namely, the address of Governor Healey from Massachusetts and the breakfast with Stephen Kennedy Smith this morning. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his leadership in organising the two events. The Order of Business is No. 1, Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 -...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This must be the shortest Order of Business in history-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: -----but it was of great quality.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: He is well used to it, in fairness.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senators made up for the lack of quantity with quality this morning. We started this morning's business with Senator Eugene Murphy who spoke about the Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey. We were all very inspired by her speech in the House yesterday. I thank the Cathaoirleach for organising that. Governor Healey really is an incredibly passionate woman. In her short time, she gave...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senator Clonan spoke about the case of Captain Dr. Lisa McNamee who enlisted in 2017 on the understanding that she would have the opportunity to have medical training, which still has not commenced. It would now cost her €90,000 to leave the Defence Forces. Obviously, that is a huge amount of money. None of us could afford to be able to leave a profession if it cost that amount....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will certainly not accede to a debate with the Tánaiste about what is and is not allowed. The freedom to protest and free speech are important to us all in Leinster House and it is absolutely a constitutional right. The issue that arose in Cork was that the Tánaiste was interrupted while he was speaking. The point he made was that there is and always should be a place for an...