Results 161-180 of 1,286 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Issues: Discussion (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses and apologise for leaving. I have to speak in the Seanad Chamber.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome to the Gallery Irish language students at the UCD Politics and International Relations Society from Spain, Germany and India.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: As there are no other Senators indicating, I call the Minister to respond.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Child Protection (13 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (13 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for coming to the House to address my issue. My question is for the Minister for Social Protection and relates to means testing and the ongoing review. Means testing is necessary for many payments in the social welfare system. It applies for carers, people on jobseeker's allowance and pensioners. A man came to me recently and told me that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (13 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I understand there is a comprehensive review going on. There are many key areas. I welcome the fact that the Minister and the Department have made an awful lot of changes, especially around agricultural supports. Farmers often must have a second job to compensate. I believe those changes have been welcomed. I also acknowledge the changes around disability....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I wish to highlight the issue student nurses are facing. On 13 December 2022, the McHugh report suggested a €9 million package and recommended a €500 per year payment for student nurses in years 1 to 3. It also outlined an €80 allowance for overnight accommodation being introduced, together with an increased weekly cap of €300 for students who need accommodation...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the fact that Limerick has been included in the defective blocks scheme. I have been working with residents on this for quite a while. It was announced in the past couple of days by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell. It is certainly welcome news because so many people have been affected not only in Limerick but in Clare, Donegal and Mayo. It...

Seanad: Ban on Dumping New Products Bill 2022: Second Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome Aodhán McCormack and his son Cian and daughter Áine from Limerick who are in the Gallery. We also have other guests in the Gallery. They are equally welcome.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the €1.4 million that was announced for St. John's hospital in Limerick last Friday, when the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, visited the hospital. It means the medical assessment unit at St. John's hospital will now operate seven days a week. This is really welcome. With that comes ten extra staff in the medical assessment unit, including a consultant, two doctors,...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Committee Work Programme (4 Jul 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming before the committee and for his opening statement. I met one of the people born the year of accession. They are all 50 now because we are 50 years in Europe. I happened to meet one of them yesterday who was absolutely thrilled and produced the coin and showed me the transcription on it. The person was thrilled to be acknowledged today by the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I pass on my sympathies to the family of Senator Aisling Dolan on the passing of her dad. May he rest in peace. I rise today to highlight the use of cash. A report by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland recently highlighted that there has been an increase of 18% in contactless payments. There are over 3 million card payments a day. The report does not mention the use of...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: Now.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (22 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber to discuss my matter. I understand the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is currently undertaking a review in regard to PhD students and their status as a student versus an employee because, in many cases, people are lecturing, carrying out research, are working with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (22 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State very much for his response. It is good to hear the Department is considering is looking at the issue of PRSI. This is very important because so many people are now going on to third level education and some are even taking the long route, as the Minister of State would be aware, because I know that under his own brief how very involved he is with the whole...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I issue an invitation to Members. There was good news this morning, announced during the 9 a.m. news, that International Rugby Experience at Limerick was voted Ireland's favourite building. I congratulate International Rugby Experience because it opened just a couple of months ago. The Rugby World Cup is coming up and many of us are involved in club rugby, or maybe in supporting our...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (21 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I acknowledge Nick, Nicola, Ursula, Nicholas and Seán from the Jackman family along with nephews Ray and Brian. Also in the Gallery are her friends, the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, Deputy O'Dowd, the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, Deputy Frankie Feighan, and the former Deputy and Senator, Michael Finucane. I also have apologies from former Senator...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House on behalf of the Minister for Education. My question relates to the inconsistencies that have arisen in respect of leaving certificate 2023. I am sure she has heard the reports on the radio and perhaps she herself has been contacted about this. Students in the area I represent who are sitting the leaving certificate or junior...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Jun 2023)

Maria Byrne: I appreciate that. I hope I am not insulting the Minister of State in pointing out she is not the Minister for Education.I appreciate her acknowledgement that students have been through a lot, as the Minister, Deputy Foley, has acknowledged as well. I hope some leniency is given to students. They are in the middle of the second week of examinations. It has been a really awful time for...