Results 301-320 of 5,554 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Land Issues (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to come in on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan. I want to raise the issue of land ownership, its transparency, and the State's role and responsibility in terms of land that should fall under its control. I will talk about one particular situation, but this is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Let us be clear. We are not looking for a waiver in a situation like this. We want to know who owns the land. The Minister of State clarified that the OPW deals with real property that devolves to the State. Therefore, I feel this is in the hands of the OPW. In this instance, the company is not restored so the property has not revert to the company. The Minister of State made the point...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to raise three issues. One relates to a bus link for Rathangan. I spoke two weeks ago about public transport in respect of the need to extend the short-hop zone and create a medium-hop zone. Most certainly, rural transport deserves to have its place too. There are a number of issues I want to raise, from a lack of connectivity to absolutely deplorable reliability. I have been...

Seanad: Education (Relationships and Sexuality Education) (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Education Act 1988 (as amended) to make provision for the implementation of relationship and sexuality education in primary and post-primary schools without any influence of religious ethos on relationship and sexuality education, and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Education (Relationships and Sexuality Education) (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for the opportunity to come in. Understandably, I will just be directing my questions to Kildare County Council. Ms Kavanagh and Ms Aspell, who I have worked with in the past, are very welcome. I thank them for the good work they do in delivering what are not just houses but homes for those who need them in Kildare, and also for meeting their social housing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business and I would like to second the minute's silence for Vicky Phelan. I am conscious that the women's caucus will be meeting at that time so I may not be back in the Chamber. The caucus will also have a vote on this. It is an appropriate thing to do and I thank the Deputy Leader for suggesting it. I have just come from Buswells Hotel where many of us had the...

Seanad: Private Nursing Home Sector: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for joining us. It was great to see her this morning at the launch of the Samaritans report. I acknowledge the tremendous work the Samaritans do throughout the country. Both the Minister of State and Charlie Bird were inspirational. I know it is an area the Minister of State is passionate about...

Seanad: Private Nursing Home Sector: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I call Senator Maria Byrne, who is sharing her time with Senator Aisling Dolan.

Seanad: Forestry: Statements (15 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here to listen to our comments. I welcome the plan. It is very significant to have a proposed investment of €1.3 billion in the Irish forestry sector. As we know, it is the largest ever investment by any Irish Government in tree planting. I wish to acknowledge that it is part of the national forestry programme. It is absolutely essential in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education (15 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the witnesses' input and their very clear commitment to the very important work they are doing. Getting to the crux of it, establishing the links between all the services and education settings is very important. How we do that and support young people in school, families, community and social settings and how we marry all of that is very important. Non-formal and informal...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, for making himself available to take it. As education spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, I am very proud of my party's history in the education sphere over the years, including this current period in office. It has certainly been a transformative period despite the many challenges of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I certainly welcome the capital funding and the expansion that has been put in place. It concerns me when I hear that the top level data for the end of October shows that there are 4,937 apprentices waiting more than six months for their off-the-job training. This is a huge issue. Planning is essential for everybody. Young people who have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. I extend a warm welcome to our guests in Visitors Gallery. We hope you find this session informative. It is always wonderful to see people coming in and having the opportunity to watch the engagement in the Seanad.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome our guests in the Public Gallery. I am not sure which school they are from but we will find out and mention it on the record. They are very welcome. We are pleased to have them here to see the engagement in the Seanad. The Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, is welcome back to the Chamber.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is always an honour to share the Chamber with Senator Norris. I want to start by supporting the Order of Business as outlined. I also welcome the more than €400 million funding announced for the new Athy food drinks and skills innovation hub, which will located in the old model school in Athy. It will be a start-of-the-art hub in which to base food and innovation collaborations....

Seanad: Curragh of Kildare (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Curragh of Kildare Act 1961 to make provision for the management and use of the Curragh whereby the Minister may grant a licence to persons for continuous occupation of any part of the Curragh for a specified period of time, and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Curragh of Kildare (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Can I speak on the First Stage?

Seanad: Curragh of Kildare (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is okay.

Seanad: Curragh of Kildare (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (10 Nov 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is but my understanding was that I had five minutes to introduce the Bill.