Fiona O'Loughlin
Administrative Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Some 400 remote working hubs were also put in place, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic, when we all had the realisation that some work - not all work - can be done remotely. The local enterprise boards are doing an incredible job in rural areas. I am speaking from experience.”
“I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming both the Belgian ambassador and my friends Joeleen and James. Anyone who has visited Chat N' Chew in Newbridge will have met Joeleen. I certainly hope her lunch today will be up to the usual standard at Chat N' Chew. It was lovely to meet with our former colleague Catherine Martin last night.”
“Continuing the theme of Kildare connections, she is a grand-niece of the late Rathangan author Maura Laverty, who wrote many books and wrote the very first soap opera for RTÉ, "Tolka Row". We wish Áine well on her retirement. I wish to talk about a serious issue relating to the blueway.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her positive response. In terms of premises, I had meetings with Jigsaw over the years in Newbridge and we did look at various premises. No later than yesterday, I spoke to the chief executive of Kildare County Council in relation to this.”
“We know young people are showing signs of stress or anxiety and that it is a very stressful and anxious world. Interventions can be made at this stage. The reason I have tabled this Commencement matter is that I have been advocating for a long time for Newbridge to have a Jigsaw service.”
“I always hate talking about these figures, but in terms of the rate of youth suicide, Kildare has the highest rate in Leinster. According to CSO figures, 14 people died by suicide in Kildare in 2023, in 2022 the figure was 26 and in 2021 it was 27. Demand is rising sharply for services.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,475 lines we hold for Fiona O'Loughlin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 28 of 30.
“I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this Commencement matter. Last August, the then Minister of State with special responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, launched the national swimming strategy. This was the first such swimming strategy. Its purpose was to show the determination to make swimming a key focus in respect of giving everybody the opportunity to learn to swim and to be able to swim. Indeed, swimming is a very popular sport and we have seen this through our successes in the Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic games. Part of that strategy consisted of opening a process for submissions and almost 6,000 were received. This proved that people wanted everybody to have the opportunity to be able to swim. Kildare is a growing county, as the Minister of State knows.”
“Ronan Glynn moderated a session on adult vaccinations. We know immunisation is one of the most effective public health interventions we have available to us. It is vitally important for protecting the health of our population. We are, of course, very familiar with the Covid vaccinations and the flu vaccination. Those are the two most common adult vaccinations apart from the ones children get. Approximately 286 vaccines are in production now. We have quite a bit of information about the one for shingles. It is important that we ask the Minister for Health to come into the House and have a debate on adult vaccinations.”
“The family were very optimistic about having the opportunity to put him to rest, but, unfortunately, they have been disappointed once again. It must also have been very difficult for the family who owned the grave and had other family members. Of course, Joe is one of five individuals whose bodies have yet to be located by the disappeared commission. It is very disheartening and cruel to subject any family to so many years of hoping and waiting in vain. We must again ask if there is anybody out there who has any information that might lead to the recovery of the remains of some of the disappeared. We must say to those families waiting and hoping in vain that we are thinking of them. Another issue I raise concerns adult immunisation. Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to visit the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Dr.”
“About three weeks ago, I went to see a play called The Ferryman in the Gaiety. It is an excellent play. It is about three hours long but it lays out in a bare way the trauma for families who have a disappeared among them. This trauma is generational. It is important we talk about the news last night that the disappeared commission has confirmed the body exhumed from a grave in County Monaghan was not the remains of Joe Lynskey. I listened to some of his family members who thought that, 53 years after he disappeared, they would finally be able to lay him to rest and have a place where they could gather and pray for his soul. It must be absolutely heartbreaking for them all over again. I heard one of the family say it was like he had died all over again.”
“Our crops look good but, again, tillage costs are high so in the long run, that has to be a concern as well. An issue that is important in Kildare and around the country involves solar farms. I raised the matter here about two weeks ago. Planning is sought to use really good agricultural land to build solar farms and in a lot of cases, it is granted. There is an issue because we do not have a national strategy or planning policy on solar farms. We see that one 600-acre farm just outside Clane is in for planning at the moment. Italy has agreed a national policy that land that is good for agriculture or breeding would not be given planning permission for solar farms. It is important that we begin to look at that. I know this involves another Department but I would appreciate it if the Minister raises it.”
“Strengthening farm incomes for our 130,000 farm families nationally is so important. We need to maintain and continue all the supports that are there. I spoke here recently about the ACRES payment and my concern about the delays in payments. The number affected is far too high and some delays have carried over from 2023, so I urge the Minister to look at this as a priority. As for renegotiating the Common Agricultural Policy, this policy has been there since 1962. It is all about balance. It is about promoting farm income but also ensuring food security. This has to be the top priority for the Irish Presidency of the EU. I do not shirk from saying it must be the top priority. We know the price of beef is high, which can be good for farmers but is not good for consumers so in the long run, that is not welcome.”
“In light of the conversations about tariffs that have, sadly, been taking place, it is a very difficult time for those working in the food and agrifood industry, who produce our very high-quality exports. That has to be part of the conversation we have. There is no doubt our farmers are world-class food producers, but they are more than that. They are the social, economic and cultural pillars of our rural communities. We all know and acknowledge that any money that farmers earn is spent in the local community, keeping the local shops and businesses running. Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring a thriving agriculture and agrifood sector. It formed a strong part of our manifesto and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the programme for Government in that regard.”
“As someone who comes from an agricultural background with many members of my extended family in the farming business, I am only too aware of the importance of agriculture, not just to Kildare but to the country. The agrifood sector is the most important indigenous industry, providing 173,000 jobs, of which 3,302 are full-time equivalents in agriculture in Kildare. By any standard, that is a very high number and it proves that agriculture is hugely important for employment. Farm income in Kildare amounts to €60 million, the value of the agricultural output is €183 million and the value of agricultural exports from that output is €267 million. The number of jobs relating to food and drink processing from the Kildare output alone is 1,285, so it is very significant.”
“I am sharing time with Senator Clifford-Lee. I welcome the Minister. I have had the opportunity to congratulate him privately but it is nice to be able to do it in a public forum. The electorate of Kildare South was certainly very pleased to see a Cabinet Minister from the constituency, so I wish him well in his onerous role. I know that, as a practising farmer, he brings a lot of expertise and experience to his brief. In case there was anything lacking, I have no doubt that Denis Halpin, Thomas O'Connor and the good people of Kildare IFA will certainly keep him on his toes, as they keep me on mine. It is a very active branch of the IFA and it works hard to ensure that all public representatives, regardless of their background, have an understanding of the agriculture sector. This is very important.”
“I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 180 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Bills which lapsed by reason of the Seanad General Election, January, 2025, and are set out in the Schedule to this motion, shall be restored to the Order Paper at the stage specified in the Schedule below: SCHEDULE Bill Title: To be restored at: Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022. Committee Stage Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2023. Committee Stage Ban on Dumping New Products Bill 2022. Report Stage”
“We will get an update on that. The Senator is right about rural housing. It is hugely important in my own county and throughout the country. We need to see rural communities survive and thrive. We cannot do that at the moment with the stringent conditions there are on rural housing. I acknowledge former Deputy, Eamon Ó Cuív, who did a lot of good work and put a lot of good policies in place. I understand there is a big celebration in Galway on Saturday night of his many years of service to Leinster House, to the people of his constituency, and to the people of the country while he was a Minister. I wish him well with that. Developing rural communities has to be a priority for us all. I support the call and we will look for that debate.”
“For visitors to Leinster House, and not just delegations from the USA or VIPs but also the schools we bring in, and for friends, supporters and others from our communities, being able to witness that was really something special. It is important we have it reinstated. We will send a formal request from the Leader's office to ensure it is reinstated. I understand there were restoration works going on with it.”
“He wants a year of celebrations. We could have that as well. In fact, his birthday is on Thursday so we are having lunch in Leinster House because this is the place he felt he would want to be to celebrate. All here are welcome to come in and sing “Happy Birthday”. Senator Davitt also spoke about national roads and that we need a debate on TII. When it comes to roads and transport, we are in a difficult situation because we have TII and we have the NTA, which, to a certain extent, operate at a remove from the Department of Transport. We need to have a strong debate about the Department and the linkages to TII and the NTA to make sure Government policy is rolled out as intended because, unfortunately, that is not always the case. Senator Boyhan spoke about the Gettysburg flag. I agree with him 100%.”
“That is something we will bring forward from this House to the Minister for Justice. Senator Davitt and Senator Boyhan praised the Cathaoirleach. I acknowledge that and support and endorse the work the Cathaoirleach has been doing and that has been done all of those who have represented the Oireachtas right across the world. Senator Davitt spoke about tomorrow being World Down Syndrome Day. It is a day when we celebrate and support those who have been born with an extra chromosome. My brother will be 50 next week. We are having all his birthday celebrations, together with my ten other siblings, on Saturday for a whole day of celebrations and enjoyment.”
“I am responding that, to the best of my knowledge, that is the way that works. It is very regrettable when we have a situation like that. If there is something that can be done at a national level, certainly that should be done. The Senator might bring that to our attention. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the issues of vexatious claims impacting on retail workers. It is shocking. We see from reports and surveys that the level of shoplifting has increased year on year. The fact that 94% of retailers are impacted is shocking. It is very difficult when there are vexatious claims. It is important the Minister for Justice would look at the defamation laws to make sure those in retail, particularly the owners, cannot be sued for defamation. I agree an amendment should be put in place.”
“Food is included, but anything covered by home insurance is not because that should be the first call. The Senator also raised the issue of panic buttons not working. In my experience there is always a community scheme that looks after panic buttons. It is normally a community alert scheme. I work with a number of them. The LBDC scheme checks twice yearly with members. I suggest that as the first port of call.”
“There is a commitment within the programme for Government that all Departments would focus on this, not just the Minister and Department for housing in isolation. We look forward to 2 April. Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about Storm Éowyn and mentioned the fact that only a third of those who have contacted her had been approved for the assistance scheme, with some having been rejected and some not even having been acknowledged. There should always be an acknowledgment. It is regrettable that people did not get an acknowledgment. Obviously, there have to be criteria. I did a quick check while she was speaking about it. I understand that, as of last week, 66,887 claims were received, with a total of 23,000 having been awarded to the value of €5.2 million. It is still ongoing.”
“The reopening of that centre is certainly something that should be encouraged and supported. We will do that from here but I suggest Senator Comyn put in a Commencement matter on the much-needed reopening of the Drogheda centre. Senator McCarthy spoke about housing and homelessness. I thank him for all the work that he has done over recent years. I have joined him on a visit to some of the centres that he has opened and I have witnessed the work he does for the homeless. He asked for a debate with the Minister for housing. I am pleased to tell him we will be having that debate with the Minister for housing on 2 April on a number of different issues, homelessness being one of them. Affordable housing is another key area we need to focus on.”
“Senator Rabbitte spoke about the need for the Minister for sport to do an assessment and audit of the outcomes of the sports capital grant over the past five years. Senator Rabbitte is absolutely right. Over recent years we have focused on grants going to clubs that focus on inclusion, diversity, the impact on the community and on women's sports. It is important an assessment is done in order that we can see the impact. That is something we will ask the Minister to do and to give us a report on. Senator Comyn spoke about the driving test centre in Drogheda that is no longer there. They obviously did a lot of work there between 2021 and 2023. That the centre had the longest waiting time shows there was a real need for it. Now young people and, indeed, older people doing their driving test have to go to Dundalk and to Navan.”
“Senator Manus Boyle spoke about the NowDoc service in Donegal and the fact that there are no digital records shared. My understanding from a similar scheme we have in Kildare is that the doctors who are partners and part of that scheme allow access to records relating to their patients. I appreciate it is very difficult for somebody who is not a patient of one of the partners or participants in the scheme. I know there are GDPR issues, but I understand that the Department are looking at the digitisation of records. I do not have an update at this point but it is something we will certainly look for. Anything we can do to help support vulnerable patients and older patients in particular is important, as the Senator pointed out.”
“We have to support all the wonderful volunteers who work in the animal welfare sector, who put so much work into supporting the victims of violence against animals. Senator Costello spoke about the need to support public representatives, particularly councillors, and the fact that South Dublin County Council has a very good method for getting, assessing and responding to queries. I am conscious that each local authority has its own way of dealing with this but it is important that we look at best practices around the country and try to share those. We will be looking for a debate with the Minister for local government with regard to how we can support local councillors, and I suggest this is something we will discuss at that time.”
“There is a greyhound track near me in Newbridge and, having grown up in a rural community, I am well aware of and know many greyhound owners and trainers, who look after their greyhounds very well, I may add. I saw that the success rate can only be 11.7%. I cannot understand why anyone would go through with such a barbaric type of intervention when the success rate is so low. The Senator rightly said that veterinary practitioners announced in April 2024 that they had updated their code to state that veterinarians should not practise this. I agree with the Senator; it absolutely should be banned, and we will certainly have a conversation with the Minister for agriculture on that.”
“Senator Keogan spoke about the rise in the consumption of energy drinks, the high levels of caffeine and other substances they contain, and the surge in consumption referred to by the HSE's lead expert on obesity. The Senator spoke about a Bill she is introducing. I wish the Senator well with that and we look forward to it being presented here and going through the different Stages. The Senator also spoke about the Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill being restored to the Order Paper. Senator Andrews spoke about something I had not heard about before, namely, surgical insemination, which is used for greyhounds. I looked it up while the Senator was speaking.”
“I see the same in my constituency, where we only have one public swimming pool, which is right down the far end of the constituency. The Senator referred to the site in Balbriggan that has been identified and for which money has been put in place. It is ridiculous at this point in time that there are blockages there. We will certainly look for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, who now has responsibility for sport, as the Senator is aware. As the Senator pointed out, the fact that swimming accounted for three of the seven medals Ireland won at the last Olympics shows that swimming is an area where we excel, and we need to help develop and support it. That is something I am happy to look for.”
“We want to ensure that insurance companies do not charge more than we are already being charged. We will take a look at who we can bring in to discuss this but, as I said, it is across four different Departments. Senator Clifford-Lee spoke about the need for a debate on the national swimming strategy, which was launched last September by the then Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne. The Senator is absolutely correct regarding access and how important it is for people to be able to go to swimming lessons and to swim. It is an awful shame that the Senator's constituency does not have any public swimming pool. She referred to various areas, such as Balbriggan, Skerries and Rush. It is interesting that there was a group of young people from Rush here while she was speaking. There absolutely is a divide.”
“We started off the Order of Business this morning with Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who spoke about the report that showed that a lot of people who are making claims are going towards litigation, rather than going for mediation. There has been a 17% increase in the number of cases going through litigation. Basically, the insurance claims that are being paid out are higher than those in England and our other neighbours across the water. Senator Nelson Murray has asked for a debate. There are four different Ministers involved on this issue, and this is what the problem is. It involves the Ministers with responsibility for justice, insurance, enterprise and finance. It is an important issue. We certainly want to encourage less litigation and we do not want to see increases in payments.”
“The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the restoration of Bills to the Order Paper, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate, and No. 2, statements on Ireland's national plan under the Common Agricultural Policy, to be taken at 1.15 p.m., with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, with the possibility to share time, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.”
“It is important that we have a debate regarding juvenile crime for which I would like the Minister to come before the House.”
“Some 201 have gone into Templemore, which is the highest intake in over a decade, and almost 7,000 people have filled in expression of interest forms to become gardaí because it is a job worth doing and worth having. It is not just about gardaí, however. They are hugely important, and their presence is hugely important, but we need to look at other areas. Youth crime and juvenile crime is something I am very concerned about, and not just me. A survey that was carried out recently showed that juvenile crime is a concern for 76% of people. The Garda youth diversion programmes is hugely important. We obviously need to look at education and how we link in with that. There has been an increase, however. In 2024, there was an increase of 29% in sexual offences by juveniles compared to the year before.”
“I was appalled to see the way Conor McGregor was feted in the White House. He is somebody who has a civil court ruling against him. It sent a very poor message, and it was very poor judgment to invite him to represent Ireland, as such, on St. Patrick's Day. We have no control over who the President of America invites, but I stand with Nikita Hand and with victims. The Government of Ireland has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual and gender-based violence. It is important to note that here. It was refreshing to hear the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, on the 1 o’clock news talking about the number of recruits we have in the Garda.”
“I accept and support the Order of Business, as outlined. I hope that everybody had a good and enjoyable St. Patrick's Day, wherever they celebrated it. I thank all of the amazing volunteers around the country who put so much time and effort into ensuring that towns and communities had their own parades. It is important to note the very many missions across the world that celebrated St. Patrick's Day. It is truly incredible for us as a small country to have our country and Irishness celebrated across the globe and that our Ministers went abroad. While we were all in trepidation prior to the Taoiseach's visit to the White House, he carried it off with aplomb and great diplomacy. I must speak about the toxic masculinity that we, sadly, see being celebrated around the world.”
“Having said that, it is set out in the response prepared by the Minister – I appreciate it is not the Minister of State’s Department – that the Department will be sticking to the end of April. That is good. However, I wish to make the point that last June, when phase 1 was implemented, which was to raise the fares in Dublin to enable the fares to be reduced elsewhere, the NTA was quick to raise the fares and it will be ten months then before phase 2 comes in. That is not good enough, but I am glad that, at least, we are sticking with April.”
“The Minister of State did not get to say it, but I saw when I read ahead that the key element is that it will happen by the end of April 2025. The answer to my question on the start is that it is not being delayed further. I am very glad to hear that. It is important. I acknowledge that the NTA is responsible for the day-to-day operations, but it is not implementing Government policy. I have led delegations to the previous Minister for Transport, Jack Chambers, and to James Lawless. In that, I acknowledge Jennifer Caffrey and all the work she has done in raising these commuter issues. The NTA is also responsible for communications, which we are not getting in a timely manner.”
“People need to know. They need to balance their books and to budget. What is the timeline and what will be the implementation plan for the fair fares structure for those commuters in counties outside Dublin city?”
“This second press release stated that the Dublin commuter zone extending to approximately 50 km would be put in place in 2024 and would represent the rebalancing of affairs. The old fare for commuters travelling, for example, from Newbridge to Heuston Station in Dublin was €10.85, while the new fare was to become €6, a decrease of 45%. The fare for commuters travelling from Kildare town was to change by 38%. There was to be a decrease of 50% in fares from Drogheda and of 29% in fares from Ashbourne. The changes are important and these fares were to come into being in September. We heard in September that the changes were to be delayed until January. We heard in January that the changes were to be delayed until April. Someone who wanted to buy an annual ticket was told that the changes were not going to come in until June.”
“It stated that the strategy was going to provide a "more consistent and equitable approach" for commuters, particularly those in the greater Dublin area. One of the key aspects of this press release was the statement that under the new structure, the cost per kilometre travelled would be "more consistent" across the country. It stated that a new outer Dublin commuter zone, extending to approximately 50 km from Dublin city centre, would be created to include towns such as Drogheda, Navan, Trim, Enfield, Clane, Prosperous, Newbridge, Kildare, Greystones and Wicklow. That is hugely important. I also have a press release from 24 January 2024, a year after the publication of the strategy.”
“That is simply not good enough. We have a situation where people are, understandably, getting into their cars and bypassing the stations in Newbridge and Kildare town. They are clogging up the roads and going to Sallins, where there are parking problems, to get the short hop zone ticket. I do not blame people for doing that. I know families that have a second car to drive students to Sallins because they currently cannot get accommodation in Dublin and it is far cheaper to commute from Newbridge. I will speak to the Minister of State about two press releases. The first relates to the fair fares strategy of the National Transport Authority, NTA, which was published in 2023. The strategy dealt with the NTA's national fares strategy for commuter and interurban journeys on public service obligation, PSO, buses and rail fares.”
“The Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, is very welcome to the Chamber. It is the first opportunity I have had to welcome her here. I wish her well in her role as Minister of State. I have no doubt she will do an excellent job. The Commencement matter I am raising today is not new to this House. I have debated it ad nauseam within the Dáil and the Seanad. Like countless others, I believe public transport should be affordable, accessible, reliable and safe. In recent years, there has been a total discrepancy in the operation of fares in certain parts of Kildare, and indeed right around Louth, Meath and Wicklow. For example, if I came in on the train this morning from Newbridge, where I live, it would be €10.65 for a single ticket. If I drove to the next station - Sallins, which is within the short hop zone - it would be 57% less.”
“With the permission of the Leader and with the kind support of the Minister I put forward to the House that notwithstanding the Order of the House today, the statements to mark International Women's Day shall now conclude at 5 p.m. if not previously concluded.”
“However, something I would like to see an emphasis on also is preventative health measures around nutrition and around the use of alternative health methods, such as yoga, to be able to support us living healthily, living longer and living well. One other aspect I feel should be addressed is the whole area around the pelvic floor and women who have given birth. This area is neglected at the moment.”
“I am conscious of the women whose voices are not heard - the women from Ukraine, the women from Gaza, and women who are displaced or tortured right around the world. In terms of the health issues we are talking about, many colleagues have spoken about the really important aspects of women's health that we need to concentrate on. Many of them spoke about supporting cancer survivors, about trying to have more preventative screenings in place, about ensuring we have more IVF and that HRT products are sourced and are available, and about older women who develop dementia and younger women who develop eating disorders.”
“I wish the Minister well in all the challenges that she faces. On this day, I also thank the former Minister, Stephen Donnelly, for all the tremendous work that he did in starting a revolution around women's healthcare. I am conscious that this is about International Women's Day as well as about women's health. I am also conscious that women comprise 45% of Seanad Members, which is fantastic. I say well done to everybody who worked hard to get here, but we stand on the shoulders of all of those who went before us. You see four portraits as you enter here - the four first female Senators, namely, Eileen Costello, Ellen Cuffe, Alice Stopford Green and Jennie Wyse Power. As a practical suggestion, I ask that their names be put under each one. Let that be our action from today. It is important to know them by name.”
“These people have their own children in the US and who have developed a life for themselves, both economically and socially. It is so important that we continue our efforts in what is a volatile environment at the moment. Diplomacy is absolutely the way forward. I wish the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and all of the Ministers who are going to the US well. It is a difficult time. The eyes of the world are on Ireland, particularly after what we saw last week. We have seen some progress since then. It has been really good to see what has been happening in the UK, and I know the Taoiseach is travelling over there this evening. We certainly want to see a proper negotiated pathway for Ukraine. We want to see a ceasefire and the support that has been shown across Europe to continue. I wish all of our Ministers well as they go abroad.”
“I refer to those who emigrated from our shores and found themselves vulnerable and in difficult economic situations. It is really important that we use the funds at the Department's disposal to help them and to continue to develop links with them. I also want to mention the undocumented in America. I know the Taoiseach will have an opportunity, as will the other eight Ministers who are travelling to the US, to speak on their behalf. That is a really important role in terms of trying to find a legal pathway for the undocumented and their families so that they will be able to come home and go back. We all know of so many individuals who have not been able to come home for the funerals of their parents, siblings or other family members because they are not legal in the US and are afraid to travel.”
“Given that the Minister of State is going to Tanzania, I wanted to share that story. We must also think about all of our embassy staff around the world. During my time as head of delegation for the Council of Europe, and particularly during the Irish Presidency, I had the opportunity, together with my colleague Senator O'Reilly, to meet many of the excellent embassy staff we have around the world. They are an absolute credit to our nation. The work they do goes largely unseen but it is very important. It is even more important now in the context of the diplomatic efforts that have to be made around the world in relation to the development of peace and our ability to negotiate and deal with other countries in what are very difficult times. We also have to think of our emigrants who are vulnerable.”
“Unfortunately, there is still a real stigma in Africa about having a family member with an intellectual disability. I remember Tim Shriver, during a talk I attended, producing a small rope that had been used by a family in a small community in Tanzania. They had tied their son with an intellectual disability to a post in order that he would not wander. It is shocking to think that in this day and age such a thing would happen. This young man was found, through Special Olympics, and given the opportunity to learn and develop. In those programmes, with the help of Irish Aid, seed money was given to support young people with intellectual disability, through the healthy athletes programme, to grow fruit and vegetables for cooking and for selling on, so there was an economic value as well. Irish Aid does incredible work around the world.”
“The GAA has done an incredible job in that regard in terms of developing and supporting overseas teams, particularly those in the US, England and Australia. That is something that we certainly need to support and develop further. The Minister referred to where he will be going next week. He is travelling to Tanzania, and I hope he has a very successful trip. I had the opportunity to visit Tanzania with a view to helping to support and develop Special Olympics there. There is an absolutely terrific programme in Tanzania. Irish Aid funded a project over three years to develop Special Olympics in Tanzania, Uganda and, at a later stage, Malawi. That was money very well spent. It was not a huge amount - in the region of €70,000 - but it really helped to support children, young adults and the families of people with intellectual disabilities.”
“Thirty years later, I had the opportunity as Mayor of Kildare to go and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the twinning. That was just after my father passed away, so it was a very special occasion. Those linkages bring about great business opportunities, and there is nothing like people-to-people meetings for sharing experiences, culture and heritage and developing trade links. In the same year, I also had the opportunity as Mayor of Kildare to travel to New York to lead the Kildare delegation in the St. Patrick's Day parade. Meeting people - first, second and third generation - who hailed from Kildare was a very humbling experience. I know it is the same for every single county, but I was impressed by how much people wanted to reminisce and to stay connected with everything going on at home.”
“His great grandmother, Ann Geraghty, was born in Rathangan in 1838, and we are now in the process of establishing a formal twinning arrangement with Freehold in New Jersey. The Mayor of Freehold and Bruce's first cousin Glen were here last July. We had a really interesting few days with them. It is really important that we celebrate our diaspora. County Kildare is twinned with Lexington in Kentucky through the horse industry. That was started by the late, great Michael Osborne, a terrific ambassador for Ireland. He started that twinning 45 years ago, having spent some years on a stud in Kentucky. Indeed, on the very first formal twinning group, my father was Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council and had the opportunity to go and represent Kildare, together with two of his cousins, Joe and John O'Loughlin.”
“that was all done on the foot of the work of people who have emigrated from Ireland. In Newbridge, we have one of the most successful town twinning programmes in the country, which is with Bad Lippspringe in Germany. That was started over 30 years ago by Eddie Lee and his sister Teresa Wall, who are both from rural Athy. Eddie now lives in Bad Lippspringe and is happily married to a German lady. They have a family together. As a result of that, we have had so many incredible connections, from football teams to different cultural groups that have had the opportunity to travel and to receive groups here. A soccer group is coming over for St. Patrick's weekend. Another group will be going out to Germany in June. I also think of Bruce Springsteen, whose family hails from my own town of Rathangan.”