Results 1,141-1,160 of 1,864 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I support the call for a debate on retrofitting and I welcome the funding. It is wonderful to think that we will spend so much money and that people will be able to have warmer homes. However, some people may not be in a position to pay for it all in one go. There is talk of low-interest loans but I believe they will not be in place until some time around the summer. We need a debate in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I want to express my sympathies to Senator Buttimer on the passing of his father. I have not had the opportunity to do so since his dad died and I just want to say that we are thinking of him at this difficult time. I rise today to draw the attention of the House to a study carried out by the University of Limerick. The study, which was actually carried out across 21 countries in Europe,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: It is lovely to see the Acting Leader. I wish to raise two issues. In Limerick, the Coonagh to Knockalisheen road is due to be opened before the summer. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, said recently that it is "unsustainable" and "uneconomic" for phase 2 of the project to proceed.We will now end up with half a road going to half the section. The part that is needed for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (2 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss this very important issue. The last time that I raised this question was in 2019 and at that stage, seven children in the mid-west were awaiting permanent long-stay beds. I am working with a family who have a daughter aged 11 who is non-verbal and bedridden, and they have carers who come to the house. The family cares for their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (2 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for her commitment and response. I am not sure if the child is one of the two children. I am glad to hear that it is down to two because it was seven originally, the last time I tabled this question. This child I am referring to is certainly in need of a critical care bed. The family has been told that is what they have been put forward for....

Seanad: Passport Office Service: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: That is correct. I propose to share time with Senator Kyne.

Seanad: Passport Office Service: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming here this afternoon to discuss this important issue. It comes to all our offices. I thank Siobhan Byrne and all her staff for the efficient service most of the time. The odd time one comes across an issue that might cause a delay. The longest time we waited in our office was approximately five months, but it was a very complicated situation. Sometimes...

Seanad: Passport Office Service: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: For a while, it was Dublin only. That is great. I will hand over to Senator Kyne.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise to raise two issues, the first of which relates to the leaving certificate. I had called for a hybrid leaving certificate. I have been contacted by many students, not just from Limerick, but from across the country. I am really disappointed with the proposal brought forward by the Minister, Deputy Foley. Last Monday, I was in a DEIS school where not only every student sitting the...

Seanad: Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Tánaiste to the House this afternoon and thank him for coming to discuss this important issue. I wish to pay compliment both Senator Doherty, who brought the Bill forward when she was Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and other colleagues who have done a lot of work in relation to the Bill. I know that the Tánaiste, as Minister for Enterprise,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Taoiseach that there is going to be an investigation and priority given to University Hospital Limerick, and that the Taoiseach is going to engage with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I thank the Leader and Deputy Leader for making contact with the Taoiseach and for their work on this.A report was commissioned by the HSE on drug and alcohol...

Seanad: Violence Against Women: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for appearing before the House to speak on this important issue. I express my sympathies to the family of the late Ashling Murphy. I met her family and her partner at a candlelit vigil in Mary Immaculate College on Monday evening last, which I attended along with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It was a very moving...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. In 2018, I voted for the legislation - Senator Ned O'Sullivan was here at the time - covering gift vouchers and expiry dates. People were delighted because some people were losing out on the value of vouchers on the basis that they were only valid for one year and there was no means of extending the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I welcome that the Department will consider the issue of reducing balance fees. These companies are regulated by the Central Bank. I understand that they cannot defy what is set in European law, but many people are not aware that the value of their vouchers is being reduced as the information in this regard is in tiny print at the bottom of the voucher. One...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: Yesterday, Senators in the mid-west raised their concerns regarding University Hospital Limerick. There are over 100 people on trolleys in the hospital today and the figure is increasing. The CEO and her team have said they are looking at ways of trying to reduce the numbers. Some of the beds cannot be used at the moment because they are being used for isolation for people who still have...

Seanad: Broadband Roll-out: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for attending to discuss this all-important issue. Covid taught us the importance of working from home and how important broadband is in that regard. Many of us have discussed the lack of availability in rural Ireland but it also affects parts of urban Ireland where the connectivity is very poor. There are streets where there is a very strong connection but...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I wish to support Senator Conway's call for an independent review into University Hospital Limerick. I raise the matter every second week and have done so for the last year. The problem is ongoing and it is not good enough. Yesterday was international day of education. The Minister, Deputy Harris, was in Limerick yesterday. I had the pleasure of visiting some schools with him. He spoke...

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: The Minister is welcome. I thank him for coming in to discuss this important topic. I believe the agricultural sector wants to make changes and ensure it can perform in the most environmentally friendly ways. We must remember that the changes we are expecting are big. For the sector to make these appropriate changes, the targets must be realistic and supports must be offered. I know the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: Like other Members, I join with colleagues in expressing my sympathies to the family of the late Ashling Murphy, but also to her peers and former lecturers at Mary Immaculate College. I know from speaking to some of them that it has been an awful few days for them. It was lovely that everybody paid tribute and gave their thoughts in a very positive way. I wish to raise the issue of a...

Seanad: The Impact of Covid-19 on Primary and Secondary Education: Motion (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I am delighted to have the Minister and Deputy Kehoe here. Having served previously on the education committee, it is an area close to my own heart. I am still involved in a school in Limerick. I read the report and found it very interesting. It took an amount of work on the part of the committee so I compliment all who were involved in putting this report together. Two or three things...