Results 1-20 of 25 for other and baby speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also extend my welcome and that of the House to our distinguished guests. We are all looking forward to the tribute to William B. Yeats next Thursday. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind invitation. I listened to RTÉ Radio 1 over the weekend, when the day William B. Yeats heard the news that he was the winner of the Nobel Prize was discussed. He had been nominated a number of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Autonomy and Assessing Decision-making Capacity: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank all who have given testimony this morning. Unfortunately, I had another committee meeting so I did not get to hear all the opening statements. However, I did have the opportunity to read them. When I came in, Ms Lazar was speaking about personal choice. I have a good friend, whom I met recently, and we discussed this. He is somebody who was very much against the repeal of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also welcome the boys and girls. We are really glad to have them here to see how democracy happens. The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ..., individuals who receive care as patients in public hospitals will be exempt from paying any fee. It is important that we note that. As leader of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe, other Members and I work quite closely with a number of senior Department of Foreign Affairs officials and the Irish ambassadors to Europe. I speak for all of us when I say how shocked I was this...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I find it very hard to follow that contribution. I acknowledge Senator Seery Kearney's honesty and bravery in telling us her story. I acknowledge that Stephen's life mattered and welcome his parents, Caroline and Martin. I have no doubt that the death of a baby is one of the most devastating experiences any parent will face and, sadly, many families have such an experience every year. I...

Seanad: Support to Ukraine: Motion (30 Mar 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...worthwhile. While we have had the opportunity to speak about the situation in Ukraine, it is important that meat is put on the bones in respect of the response, so I thank Senator Seery Kearney and her colleagues for that. Much has been said in this House, in the Lower House, in council chambers and right around the country about the horrific situation that has unfolded over the past...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Disability Services with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their brave, strong and compelling testimonies. I have had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Harris on several occasions previously, but it has been really good, and humbling, to listen to all the other witnesses this morning. I totally agree with the comments of Mr. Doyle in respect of intellectual disability and autism being the one sector that can be pre-planned...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ..., I commend the Kildare players on their terrific win against Meath yesterday. I am sure the Leader does not mind me saying it. I also congratulate the Kildare ladies who played against our other neighbours in Laois. This week is Men's Health Week. It is a week when we raise awareness of preventable men's issues. The theme for this week is making the connections - check in, check up...

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is riveting to listen to people. I acknowledge Senator Seery Kearney's contribution and the pain she has endured. I know the Minister of State, Deputy English, to be a compassionate man. I have no doubt he will take this debate in that vein. I commend my male colleagues for being here. Too often when we have debates on what are perceived as women's health issues, there is a lack of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Mar 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Today is the start of local enterprise week. I pay tribute to Jacqui McNabb and her team in Kildare, who have been doing amazing work, pre-Covid and during Covid, in supporting our local businesses and helping them through this difficult time. Not so Bank of Ireland. We had the devastating news this morning that branches in Kilcullen and Monasterevin are to close in these two vibrant small...

Seanad: Report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: Statements (Resumed) (26 Jan 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: May I add my words to yours, Acting Chairperson, in your very dignified and emotive response last week to this report? I know it was deeply personal. We all learned from your dignity, so thank you, Senator Boyhan. When we talk about the mother and baby homes, we are talking about our mothers, our aunts, our cousins, our sisters and our neighbours. We are talking about people within our...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish the Cathaoirleach, Members and the entire staff of the House a happy and peaceful 2021. This year has already had a very rocky start internationally and nationally.It was a difficult start but it was also an emotional one considering the mother and baby homes report that was published last week, about which we will hear more later in our debate. Since we last met, which was only a...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid - Matters on the Business of the Seanad (5 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Today is a new day, and this morning we received better news on the airwaves when we woke up regarding what is happening in America. Let us hope that by the end of today or tomorrow we will see the return of integrity, decency and honesty to the White House. I too support of the Debenhams workers. I participated in the online Zoom call with shop stewards and other Oireachtas Members...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for attending to listen to our comments, observations and concerns. Undoubtedly, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is investigating one of the darkest periods in Irish history. Mother and baby homes represent some of the worst aspects of our collective history and humanity. Their existence was underpinned by a complex web of culpability and...

Report on the Arts: Motion (7 Nov 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this report. I commend the Chair, the committee and my colleague, Deputy Niamh Smyth, who is passionate about the arts and the benefits they can bring to society and all of our communities. There were nine meetings of the committee and it came to the conclusion that arts do matter. They matter hugely in our society and country. If the...

Mother and Baby Homes: Motion [Private Members] (15 May 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am glad of the opportunity to address this motion. Undoubtedly, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is investigating one of the darkest periods in Irish history. Mother and baby homes represent some of the worst aspects of our collective history and our humanity. Their existence was underpinned by a complex web of culpability and responsibility. Since it was first...

Report of Joint Committee on Education and Skills: Motion (24 Jan 2019)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will not take 15 minutes but I would be happy to share it with other Deputies if they wish. Nelson Mandela stated that education is the most powerful weapon we have to change the world. We are really trying to make the world a little bit easier for those pupils who face challenges because of special needs, as well as their parents and those who are born in disadvantaged parts of society....

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I found the comments of the Minister not only aggressive, as was mentioned, but quite patronising and condescending not only towards the Members who introduced this Bill but to the women of this country. Basically, she was telling the women of this country that their place is in the home if they have a child. Many women make the choice to stay at home and that is fantastic for them, but...

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing my time with Deputy Lisa Chambers. On her behalf and on behalf of Fianna Fáil, I am absolutely delighted to introduce this Bill to allow a mother of a newborn child to share her maternity benefit entitlements with the child's other parent if she so wishes. That is an important point to make. This Bill does not propose...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (19 Sep 2018)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Less than two hours ago, I spoke in the Chamber about the Scally report and how it sometimes felt that all we seemed to be doing was discovering another failure of the State in how it looked after women's health, their children, their rights to equal pay and pensions etc. Here we are again speaking about even more failures. I also mentioned how the trust that women placed in our health...