Results 1-20 of 5,792 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on delivering a world-class education system that breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential, to be taken at 1 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, time...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senators for their contributions. Senator Rabbitte raised the very important issue of the need for swimming pools in the country generally, and in Loughrea specifically, to support people living in the hinterland. She made an excellent point. To be fair to the then Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, he published a national swimming strategy last...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Sorry, screening for the Israeli military and if they are former members of the military who are coming in. That is worthy of a very specific Commencement matter. It would be difficult to get the Minister for a two-hour debate on that but it is certainly worthy of a Commencement matter. It is also worthy of raising in the foreign affairs committee too. Senator O'Reilly spoke about the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I suggest the Senator liaises with the Department and the council and quite possibly put in a Commencement matter on the specifics of it.

Seanad: Delivering a World-Class Education System: Statements (12 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is very welcome. It is great to have the opportunity to say a few words about this really important subject. I am very proud of the record of my party, Fianna Fáil, on education. It is fair to say we are the party of education and, throughout our history, we have established an unmatched record of commitment to education because it is a great...

Seanad: Delivering a World-Class Education System: Statements (12 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (11 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: This is my first opportunity to have a debate in this House with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, since his appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for special education and school transport. We could not have a more committed, compassionate, empathetic person in this role than him. I say that from previous experience on the disability matters committee and in other...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (11 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. Regarding this instance, prior to the closing date last Friday, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, stated that there would not be a school service provided. The issue is that Bus Éireann has advised that these children are not attending their nearest post-primary school. We know they are not but that is because there are no places. It...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I add my voice to welcoming the guests who are here, and I hope they have an interesting and informative visit to Leinster House. On behalf of my party, I extend our very deepest sympathy to the ambassador of Austria and to the people of Austria on the horrific situation that unfolded in Graz, with the killing of nine people and the maiming of many more. It is shocking to see such a thing...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza: Statements (29 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. I acknowledge the presence of Deputy Lahart, who is Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. I thank the Tánaiste for being here. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and the Taoiseach for their leadership on this matter across the world. I stand here on behalf of my party, Fianna Fáil,...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Statements (28 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is good to have the opportunity to have this debate with the Minister. We appreciate his time because we know how busy he is and how demanding the role is. It is important that we have this discussion. It is one a number of Senators have sought. There is no doubt that we are recognised internationally as a very competitive economy, but equally it is absolutely fundamental that we do...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I wish to comment on public service community radio. We have a great radio station in Kildare, Kfm. It provides an important public service. That was how I first heard of this particular situation. Some of the women impacted contacted me afterwards. There is a new modern primary day...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. Like her, I acknowledge the critical role that midwives across the country play in the delivery of excellent services for mums and their new babies. I acknowledge that the Minister for Health has said that she understands the disruption and distress that has been caused. I appreciate that in the Minister of State's answer, she said measures had been put in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. On Sunday, I had the immense privilege of meeting Bernie and Jane Sanders in Athy, County Kildare. This came about through the wonderful work of Colm Walsh, who has developed the Made of Athy series and discovered that the ancestors of Jane Sanders came from Athy. As a couple, Jane and Bernie are absolutely inspirational. They...

Seanad: Local Democracy Task Force: Statements (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to have a discussion on a really important topic that has an impact on all of our lives. 1898 was the year that local government came into being and local councils were set up. My grandfather, Joseph O'Loughlin, was on the very first Kildare County Council. He died when my father was only seven, so we did not know him but 20 years after...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. I am sorry I missed the start. Commencement matters overran because of the Dáil vote. I congratulate him and wish him well. It is an interesting brief and it provides an opportunity to do a lot of good and bring about support and help for those who are vulnerable, both the Irish who are vulnerable abroad and those from other countries. ...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I agree with what my colleagues have raised. Trade agreements are a hugely crucial area in terms of human rights. It is an area that we need to focus on, particularly with the upcoming Presidency, and one we should not lose sight of. I did not thank in my earlier contribution those who work in our missions across Europe. They do an incredible job. I have been fortunate enough to have met...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for coming back in to take this matter. I really appreciate it. We are all conscious of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, which was launched in October 2021. It is a very important plan. Its key objectives concern increased access, enhanced connectivity, improved frequency and innovative solutions. It is managed by the NTA working with other partners such...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 May 2025)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I note the fact that 240 towns and villages have been newly connected to the public transport network. That is welcome. There have been 61 new connections to healthcare facilities and 41 to higher education facilities. That is notable and laudable, and we need to say "Well done" to all those involved. I am pleased that the 888 route is expected to launch next month. That is important....