Results 121-140 of 239 for likes to work speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Did you mean: like to work speaker:416?

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this motion, which I welcome. I congratulate Senator Currie on her very hard work on it. I have heard her speak about the benefits of remote working on numerous occasions. I completely support her in that regard. Last week, I had the opportunity to raise on the Order of Business our need to reimagine our lives, look at things differently and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...acutely important. There is an ongoing process in many of our counties, not least my own county, Kildare, regarding county development plans. We are now looking at issues papers and asking people to define what is important to them in how their communities and towns should grow in the context of the county development plan. I would like to think that we have begun the process of...

Seanad: Special Education Provision: Statements (8 Feb 2021)

Fiona O'Loughlin: ...two of these schools, St. Anne's School in the Curragh and St. Mark's School in Newbridge, very well. We are also discussing 1,836 special classes in 964 schools across the country.When we refer to that number of students, we are talking about individuals, families, parents and siblings. Those tight family units are very much part of their child's struggle to achieve their potential...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: ..., Covid numbers have risen. The vaccination programme has been rolled out, thankfully, and we are back in circumstances in which children are being schooled at home. "Homeschooling" is probably too strong a term. It is very difficult for parents, students and teachers to homeschool. Where the eventual reopening of our schools is concerned, we need to have teachers, special needs...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Effects of Covid-19 on Further Education and Training: Discussion (10 Dec 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I was following the debate in my office with great interest. I do not necessarily want to repeat what has been said, but I wish to focus on two matters. The question of literacy has been mentioned. Last year, I met Ms Helen Ryan of the National Adult Literacy Agency, NALA. I was shocked by some of the statistics on literacy that she presented to us. For example, Ireland is ranked 17th...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I would like to address a number of issues to the Leader and to the House, the first of which relates to Tusla. There is a very disturbing report in this morning's newspapers in regard to Tusla and the problems within that agency. The specific issues mentioned are a lack of consistency in how Tusla operates and the retention of staff, which is a particular concern. There are many fine...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I am delighted that my Commencement matter is being taken but it is interesting that I have come here from a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, where both the Minister for Education and the Minister of State at the Department of Education are appearing. I asked whether...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to bring this important Bill before the Seanad this evening. It represents an important step forward in the pursuit of equality and justice for all our citizens. As a constitutional republican party, Fianna Fáil has always been committed to fighting discrimination in all its forms. The Bill seeks to tackle hate crimes...

Seanad: Disability Day Services: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss the reopening of day services in the disability sector. I believe people with disabilities and their families have arguably been one of the sectors most disadvantaged by Covid. The closure of disability services in March took away a lifeline for many people and families. There have been very disturbing repercussions for users...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank our guests for their engagement. Just listening to the lived experience and the experience of those working and advocating for others, it strikes me more than ever that the last thing any of our guests want or need, and the last thing anybody with a disability needs, is another talking shop in this committee. We have to be ambitious and clear about what we can do within our term and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: National Disability Inclusion Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is good and I am glad to hear that. Dr. McDonagh mentioned shame and stigma earlier and she recognises that some people feel those things. I am really pleased to hear what she has said. I had intended to continue by saying that while the untapped potential of many disabled people is huge in terms of the contributions they can make to society, they are not empowered to do so at this...

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for being here to take this matter. I also thank her for clarifying exactly where we are with regard to this. Of course, I acknowledge that this was in the programme for Government. I have fought for this and have been very struck by those going through this, no more than during the presentation in the AV room, which the Minister of State...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (10 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. While the news on the incidence of Covid-19 among the Irish population is good, now is certainly not the time to let down our guard. We must be as consistent and vigilant as possible. Today also brings good news regarding the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer. While we are in this difficult situation and our hard-working public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools: Discussion (5 Nov 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate the opportunity to speak second because I have to go the Seanad for the Order of Business. The witnesses are very welcome. This is a very emotional but very interesting topic. It is one of the biggest challenges of our times in education when we consider some of the research that has been carried out show the levels of anxiety among young people, to show that one in three is...

Seanad: Leaving Certificate 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Foley, back to the House. It has been such a difficult time for the students of 2020 and their parents, teachers, the Department of Education and Skills and, indeed, the Minister, who inherited a strange legacy. The word on "unprecedented" has been much bandied about over the past few months but truly the task faced by the Department of Education and Skills...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Others have commented on today being day one of level 3. Businesses are going to be impacted hugely by these restrictions but we all need to work together to ensure we get through this. The tailbacks, particularly around Dublin, are very difficult. Many of the people caught in tailbacks are front-line workers and many of them are doing deliveries. That has to be looked at again. Like...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We had International Bog Day on 26 July. As someone born and reared on the Bog of Allen, I am proud to highlight our wonderful bogs. Our attitude to our bogs has changed in the recent decades. They are now seen as areas with beautiful plants, lovely wildlife and landscape and as greatly important in countering climate change.In the past our bogs were seen as sources of fuel and employment....

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

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words about the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020, which gives effect to the July stimulus package which we were all anxiously awaiting. In the main, we are happy with the 50 provisions that were put in place. This stimulus package is, of course, another step in the State response to the global pandemic emergency. It is most welcome...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister and wish her well in the task she has ahead of her. I commend her on the work she has done over the past four weeks. I am happy to support this Bill, which puts the pandemic unemployment payment on a formal statutory basis, which is very important. It allows for paid social insurance contributions for employees directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which is...

Seanad: Education: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to address the very many valid concerns of Members of this House. I congratulate the Minister and wish her well in her new position. I met her before either of us ever had designs on the Houses of the Oireachtas, probably in 2001, when the Minister was chairperson of Tralee host town committee welcoming Special Olympians to the town. At that...