Results 121-140 of 310 for long speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ..., particularly rural communities. They do a great deal such as organising Tidy Towns, Meals on Wheels, etc. We also need to look at the conditions for scheme supervisors. There has been a long-standing call for a pension scheme for them. The horticultural industry makes a significant contribution to the economy. It adds €497 million per year to the economy with its employment...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...in the commuter areas outside of Dublin, including Kildare, Laois, Meath and Wicklow. In Kildare, north Kildare is part of a short-hop zone and the remainder of Kildare going forward part of a long-hop zone. There is need for a medium-hop zone, particularly now when many people are working from home and may not need to avail of a full-year annual tax saver ticket. There should be more...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...that we pay attention to the discussion around that and encourage those who have private health insurance cover at this time to maintain that cover if possible. Giving up such cover could have long-term consequences for them and for society at large.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Cards (10 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...about diagnosis, treatment and the financial impact, there is the significant concern about whether a person can afford to pay for treatment or get a medical card and if he or she was eligible, how long it would take get that medical card. All of us in politics know how complex and difficult it is to get a medical card. There are many difficulties and complexities involved. Dealing with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (4 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...perspective of family members who are caring for those with disability. We cannot lose that. I am glad he mentioned the commencement of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which is long overdue. Perhaps he could give us a timeline for that. Everything the Minister said in that regard is rights-based. That is something for which many people have fought for a long time....

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: .... We certainly hope the spending people make because of this budget will help to limit the damage caused to the economy by business closures, unfortunately, and the numbers of people slipping into long-term unemployment. We have to protect the most vulnerable in our society with concrete measures and this budget goes a long way. To have over €1 billion invested in mental health...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (7 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...for 2021. A number of Members of the Oireachtas attended the launch. Carers were represented by a woman called Denise. To hear her speaking about carers being at breaking point and outlining the long-term impacts from both a mental and physical perspective would draw a tear from a stone. A man called Kevin who has dementia also spoke. I know that the Minister of State has spoken to...

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...is accompanied by increasing student numbers, remains, and focus is needed now more than ever on defining the future of the sector. The programme for Government makes a commitment to develop a long-term sustainable funding model for the sector, and the actions necessary to achieve this must be a priority of Government. There are a few points I wish to make on accommodation at third level....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Sep 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...deaths to date. We are all very concerned at the number of cases to date and at the daily increase in new cases we are seeing, particularly here in Dublin. It is only right that we introduce a long term plan for living alongside Covid-19. The most important issue for society, now that we have reopened our schools, is to keep them open. We also want to see people getting back to work....

Seanad: Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...impact perspective. We have to be able to support the businesses we have. We know the struggle against Covid-19 will continue for some time. The economic fallout from the virus will likely long outlast the impacts of the virus itself. It is not just Ireland that has been hit but countries right across the world. That is why it is so important we have clear and effective legislation to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...Morrissey's passing. We express our deepest sympathies to her husband, Paul, and her darling daughter, Libby, to whom she always referred as her little butterfly. Ruth was brave and courageous. Along with other great people, such as Vicky Phelan, Emma Mhic Mhathúna, Lorraine Walsh and Stephen Teap, Ruth shone a light on horrific incompetence within our health service. Those people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Dundalk Institute of Technology and SOLAS: Chairpersons Designate (17 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...him, her or it identifiable. I advise the witnesses that any opening statement they have made to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 26 - Education and Skills (Supplementary) (12 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: .... Is that agreed? Agreed. I remind members that in accordance with Standing Orders, discussions should be confined to the items constituting the Supplementary Estimates. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am asking the Taoiseach. Eleven organisations came together this morning regarding the absolutely awful situation in Dolphin House. I was there about three and a half years ago, not long after I was elected to the Dáil.

Report on Examination of School Costs, School Facilities and Teaching Principals: Motion [Private Members] (5 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...colleagues on this side of the House. The fact that Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan chose to make his maiden speech about the importance of education is significant. Deputy Malcolm Byrne also spent a long time working in the education sector and we might say he made his second maiden speech on education. They will be two valued colleagues not just in the Fianna Fáil Party but in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Universities Act 1997 (Section 54(3)) (University Authorisation) Order 2019: Motion (5 Dec 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...with members of the committee. As the Minister will be aware the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting. Before we begin, I remind Members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to...

Progressing Children's Disability Services: Statements (14 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Government continues to fall way short in delivering for children with disabilities. I know that as a sibling of someone with a disability. Long waiting lists and long waiting times seem to be embedded in the system we have, and they undermine the policy of early intervention. It is hugely important that we have the opportunity to give children the intervention they need at an early...

Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (13 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...is no doubt that those who come to this country seeking asylum are very vulnerable. The current system of direct provision centres was established 20 years ago on a temporary basis. It is now long past its sell by date and it must be changed to reflect the country we live in today. We are talking about men, women, boys and girls. There are children who need and want to live their lives...

Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (13 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: .... The experience of those living in direct provision centres also leaves much to be desired. I appreciate national standards for accommodation were published in August 2019. It is unfortunate it took so long to do that and that these standards will not be legally binding, which they should be, and they should also be subject to monitoring. There are currently 770 people living in...

Report on the Arts: Motion (7 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...to people who might love to pursue a career in the acting world, but absolutely cannot do so. The amateur drama scene is absolutely incredible. I was reared on it as a child. The week-long drama festival was the highlight in Rathangan every year. It gave us an opportunity to listen and learn about other places and other worlds. For one week a year, we had a chance to see how people in...