Results 1-20 of 1,117 for at speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, Research and Innovation Bill 2024 [Dáil] – Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 12.45 p.m.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senator Mary Fitzpatrick commenced proceedings this morning by speaking about the Dublin-Monaghan bombings on 17 May, some 50 years ago, and the families who are still grieving and seeking justice. She has renewed the call that justice be given to them. I certainly echo and support that. The Senator also spoke about the match between Bohemians women's soccer team and the Palestinian team...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (14 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State is having a busy morning here with us. I thank him for taking the time to come here today for what is an important matter for many parents of children with additional needs in my area of south Kildare. I want to speak to the Minister of State today about St. Anne's special school on the Curragh in County Kildare. The school was established in 1967 by the visionary...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed 15 minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed six minutes each, and the Minister to be given no less than 15 minutes to reply to the debate.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: We need to have a frank and open discussion on the matter. Senator Clonan spoke about the issue of conflict. It is horrific that every day when we open our phones, screens or newspapers, we see children and women dying. The numbers are horrific. Ireland and Spain have been very much to the fore in terms of doing what they can and trying to bring other European leaders and the UN with us...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Business, a coffee morning is starting in the Coffee Dock to support and spread awareness of the work of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ASI. It does incredible work throughout the country. What it is aiming to do is create a dementia-inclusive generation. It is doing this by working with transition year students. Apparently one in three young people knows somebody with dementia so...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I support the Order of Business. May I also, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, extend our deepest sympathies to the D'Arcy family on the passing of Mr. Michael D'Arcy Snr. First, I wish to do a shout-out to fellow hay fever sufferers. It always creeps up and, nearly unexpectedly, catches. At the moment, I am taking every...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: May I say how relieved we all are in Kildare with the news yesterday evening that the one objector to the proposed Diageo plant, which would be an investment of €200 million and would provide 1,000 jobs during the construction, has withdrawn his objection to the High Court? This means the Diageo brewery, which will be the biggest in Europe, if not the world, will go ahead. Two weeks...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this Commencement matter and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, for taking the time to come to the Chamber for this important Commencement matter. I wish to begin by acknowledging the unprecedented challenges the Department has faced in recent times in respect of housing and supporting asylum seekers and beneficiaries of temporary...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...so it is very important. I wish the team there, including the chair David Mongey and the racecourse manager Conor O'Neill, all the best for the week ahead. I was there for the launch of the HRI strategic plan for 2024 to 2028. It is a very important and ambitious plan. When we look at the figures we see that more than 30,000 people are employed through the horse racing industry. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am glad the Senator has raised such an important issue. Yesterday I spoke in the Seanad about the GRA conference and how extremely difficult issues cross the desk of a garda. I know we all appreciate that when a garda starts his or her shift, be it day or night, he or she never knows what will unfold. To paraphrase another phrase I used, who is going to protect the protectors? It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: At the outset, Members are aware that the apology to the Stardust victims is ongoing in the Dáil and in many ways, the Stardust tragedy has been the backdrop and soundtrack of our lives. We feel great solidarity with all of those impacted. To the families and on the stories which we heard yet again over the weekend, we admire their tenacity and that of all of those who fought for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: European Year of Skills 2023: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank everyone for being here. I will ask my questions in one block to be efficient. As my colleague said, we could spend the whole day here discussing all of the really interesting aspects that have been brought to us. Can I thank Ms Healy for bringing so much colour into Leinster House today? It is great to see it. I really like her colour scheme. On 9 April I had the opportunity...

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Leader for facilitating this Private Members' motion and thank the Minister for making herself available to come to the House to discuss this important topic. I can appreciate how busy she is as she engages with all the different matters that come before her desk. The motion recognises that the system that has been put in place by the Department has been pretty successful until...

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate we had both Ministers in the House to debate the motion. We all agree that while a lot of work is being done in the area in terms of providing capital funds for building new schools etc., the process of actually building schools needs to be streamlined because we have heard references to this right around the country. Senator Wall and I have spoken about the situation in County...

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Next Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: First, I want to add my voice of welcome to Senator Malachai O'Hara. I look forward to working with him in a collaborative and positive way. It is lovely for him to have members of his family here. When all of us here were elected, it was during Covid so we had our first sitting in the Convention Centre and could not invite any family members or supporters. His family being here today is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Key Issues for the Department of Education: Minister for Education (10 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister and her officials for coming before us today. She touched on a lot of key issues across many important areas, including special education, transport, STEM subjects and the school building unit. I will ask about a few issues. The Minister mentioned the RSE programme. The women's caucus here in the Oireachtas has decided that this year it will like to focus on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Role of Disabled Persons Organisations and Self Advocacy in Providing Equal Opportunities under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Implementation: Discussion (8 Apr 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...have all raised. I say this in a very genuine way with a view to responding to their bravery and courage in sharing how their lives have been impacted. They have dealt with very adversarial situations in their lives and how their lives have been altered in terms of everything from employment to family life. It is important that we listen and try to understand. I do not have any of those...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2024)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will take this opportunity to wish the President a very speedy recovery. As we know, he will be in hospital until Thursday. It is fair to say that he has solidified his role at the heart of Irish public life. Many of us are looking forward to seeing him back in Áras an Uachtaráin, continuing to deliver for us as Head of State. Having a parent unwell in hospital is not an easy...