Results 21-40 of 5,547 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

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...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I wish to raise a number of points. The first relates to Sir Ernest Shackleton, about whom I have spoken about in these esteemed Houses previously. There are celebrations planned in London and Dublin this weekend for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who was born just outside Kilkea in...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I commend my county colleague, Senator Martin, on drafting this Bill and bringing it together. With his legal expertise and political experience, we have no doubt about the robustness of the Bill. It is important to have this debate and speak about domestic violence, which is a scourge not just in this country but across Europe and the world. As we know from statistics, during and after...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for being here. I appreciate that he is a very sincere and compassionate person, as well as a public representative. He has a deep understanding at heart of the issues we have here. However, I have to say that I am disappointed that the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Madigan, is not here. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for his response. I am still somewhat confused. I also have to point out that the allocations to the schools were issued at 11 p.m. on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, which is simply not good enough.In terms of the number of SET posts in line with each school's profile of need, if two children with complex needs apply for a place in a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: System for Assisted Dying and Alternative Policies: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for attending. We are nearing the end of a long process and there have been difficult contributions and difficult learning. A common thread is that the point at which someone dies is important but the way in which they die is equally important. We have all had experience of bereavements within our families and circles, and the difference between those who have a good...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Is that okay with the Chairperson? I have another committee meeting that I must attend.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: North-South Student Mobility: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chair and I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for offering me his slot. I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. I also thank the students who were before the committee in the earlier session. Obviously, this is an important issue. Before I mention specifics, I wish to make a general point around the impact of Brexit on the figures mentioned. Before Brexit, I imagine that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Lá Fhéile Bhríde shona daoibh go léir. Today is a very special day, not just for Kildare people but for people right around the country and indeed, all over the world. There are 52 events taking place in 52 different embassies across the world today, which is wonderful. Brigid was very much known as a woman of peace and as a negotiator. There are many legends and...