Results 161-180 of 5,543 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber to listen to this debate. I hope he will be able to put some actions in place in respect of the issues we are all raising. As a proud former member of a town commission, before it became a town council, I am very grateful for the start that local government gave me in political life. I was not necessarily political at the time but I saw the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. It is an important one. Last Friday, we had the Kildare County Council AGM and I was very glad to be there to see my friend and colleague, Councillor Daragh Fitzpatrick, take the position as first citizen. I congratulate him and wish him well in the year ahead. The previous day, Kildare County Council launched its 2022...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. The fact that our expenditure per capitais at the level it is in Kildare is simply unacceptable. As many in this House will be aware, I regularly raise the issue of the infrastructural deficits we have in south Kildare, such as that relating to the second bridge for Newbridge. We have a huge issue as regards traffic management and congestion,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the report of the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the referral of the report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss to the Joint Committee on...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is actually four years. You are a year older than you thought you were, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We started the Order of Business with Senator Mark Daly, who spoke about waiting times for driver tests and how difficult it was for young people, which we understand, particularly those starting to work or who have to drive to college or university because of the cost of accommodation. The Minister gave extra funding and resources to driver test centres. For example, in Kildare, we have...

Seanad: Report of the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly: Referral to Joint Committee (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann, in accordance with the Resolution of the Seanad of 23rd February, 2022, agrees that the report of the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 30th December, 2022, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)(b), to consider the...

Seanad: Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss: Referral to Joint Committee (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann, in accordance with the Resolution of the Seanad of 23rd February, 2022, agrees that the report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 31st March, 2023, be referred to the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)(b), to consider the...

Seanad: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 44F) (Appointed Day) Order 2023: Motion (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 44F) (Appointed Day) Order 2023, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 12th June, 2023.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by H.E. Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Governor Healey's words were absolutely inspiring. She embraced all of us in every single thing that she said. I will tell the governor that the ambassador, H.E. Claire Cronin, is very efficient in all of her official dealings with us and is also truly a friend to us. She is always a proud Massachusetts woman. Nowadays, when somebody leaves school, it is a rite of passage to take a flight...

Seanad: EU Migration: Motion [Private Members] (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “recognises that” and substitute the following: - “seeking asylum is a fundamental right under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; - every person’s right to seek asylum in a safe country is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Consent and Capacity: Discussion (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank both of our witnesses for the dialogue and for their opening statements. They have given the committee a lot of food for thought. It is obviously a very complex situation and there is so much to think about in so many different ways. I have a few questions that I will put together before seeking a response. I was struck by what Dr. Campbell said regarding denying access to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Consent and Capacity: Discussion (27 Jun 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is not for profit.