Results 101-120 of 5,556 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senators Conway and Dolan raised the fact that after 91 years of excellent work, the NCBI has changed its name to Vision Ireland. Senator Conway said the latest census shows there has been a 400% increase in the number of people who are visually impaired. The fact that we have an older population means we are bound to have issues such as this. It is a concern when we have 300,000 people...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On the phone. Otherwise, you have to basically use ChatGPT to try to get a response. I agree. There is nothing more frustrating. Many people have unique questions particular to their situations and they just keep getting, "I do not understand your question" as a response. It is simply not good enough. We will send a call-out to the Minister to try to ensure these offices are available...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2023: Motion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: "That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2023, copies of which were laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 18th October, 2023, be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)(b), which, not later than 22nd November,...

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...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: The second part of the question is for Dr. Doherty. I acknowledge that she is mainly advocating for people who have mental health issues but I would like her view on other situations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Consent Programmes in Irish Education: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for attending. It is good to see them all. In particular, it is good to see Ms McDowell, who has done incredible advocacy work in this and related areas. That is much appreciated. I had the opportunity a few years ago to attend a consent class in Trinity College Dublin and was really impressed with it. In particular, I was impressed the attendance was 50% men and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Consent Programmes in Irish Education: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am conscious of time. I thank Dr. O'Higgins. I like the emphasis on positivity, as in positive sexual behaviour as opposed to just talking about all the negative elements. Will Dr. O'Higgins refer to the importance of students taking in these programmes at a younger age and before reaching third level? Obviously, the results of the survey give rise to concern. Will Dr. MacNeela address...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I congratulate the Ministers, Deputies Harris and Darragh O'Brien, on the announcement we are expecting around now on support for accommodation for higher level students. Every year we hear of students not being able to get accommodation. The €434 million partnership that will see 2,700 beds across the country is welcome news. I welcome to the House the members of Network Ireland,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome our distinguished guests on both sides of the House. I also wish all the Czech nationals who live in Ireland a good day today as they celebrate their culture and history. The Order of Business is No. 1, Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023 – Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and adjourn not later than...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Senator Horkan made the point that diplomatic relations are always important. Diplomatic relations have been never more important than now in terms of the relationships that we have with both EU countries and countries outside of the EU. I would like to add my voice of congratulations to Mr. Rodney Walshe who has served as Honorary Consul General in New Zealand. It is quite incredible that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am not being political but I think that the Tánaiste and, indeed, the Taoiseach are saying very important words. They really are calling out the atrocities for what they are. They have called for an immediate ceasefire while giving €13 million to Palestine. I know that every one of us here echoes that, following our debates last week.I thank Senator Boylan for calling that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Ensuring Inclusive Local and EU Elections: Discussion (25 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Dolan and Ms Carthy for coming before us. Many of us would have loved an opportunity to have a discussion with Mr. O’Leary about six months ago.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Ensuring Inclusive Local and EU Elections: Discussion (25 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am sure. It is great that the commission is in place. I wish Mr. O’Leary the best of luck with it. It is good to hear his experience in the Australian Embassy. Best international experience has to inform what we do here also. I am pleased to hear that research can be commissioned and carried out into different areas. Definitely the electoral register, as has been mentioned,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Order of Business is No. 1, Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.55 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to adjourn at 6.15 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome Sinéad Byrne, who is interning with me. She is the daughter of the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and is up here for the week to learn what we do and what her dad does. She is very welcome and I thank her for her help. In terms of responding on the items raised on the Order of Business, Senator Conway called for a debate on flooding. He is disappointed that such a debate...

Seanad: Situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I send our condolences to the families of Kim Damti and Emily Hand. I think of the families of our Oireachtas colleagues who are working in Palestine and offer condolences to all who have lost family members and friends. The date 10/7 is our new 9/11. The horrific events in New York at that time were the result of a very deliberate and long-planned campaign and so were the events of 7...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome our guests, who are waiting patiently here. It is lovely to see them. Best wishes also for our junior certificate students today. It is a big day for them because they are getting their results. We wish them well in all that is going to be in front of them over the next few years. I refer to the announcement that was made very early yesterday morning - actually, during the...

Seanad: Provision of Free HRT Treatment: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is very welcome to the House. I want to give a very special welcome to Ballymore Eustace branch of Irish Countrywomens' Association, ICA, and Ms Marie Cooney who organised it, the group's president and sister of Liam Lawlor, former Member of this House. They are very welcome. Mr. Ray Coffey from Newbridge is also very welcome. I call Senator Pauline...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Transport Authority (17 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being here. It is really appreciated. It will not be a surprise to anybody listening in or to anyone in the Chamber, including the Minister of State, that I am speaking about the issue of public transport in Kildare. The population in Kildare has grown in a huge way in the past years. Many people who live in Kildare travel to Dublin for work and for other...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Transport Authority (17 Oct 2023)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the level of funding in terms of the package that has been received for 2024, which is significant. I also accept his clarification that the NTA has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares. However, as I started off by saying, the short-hop zone in its current format disadvantages commuters living outside of the zone, particularly...