Results 1,201-1,220 of 1,864 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the House and I thank him for being here to discuss this important issue. I compliment him and his team for their extensive work over a lengthy time in terms of the negotiations and discussions on Brexit. The Minister is correct that Northern Ireland did not seek or vote for Brexit. That is very clear. The protocol was the only option post years of discussions...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise two issues. I welcome the report that was launched today by the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a directly elected mayor for Limerick. I pay tribute to the committee for its work on the report and to the witnesses who presented to the committee. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill lasted for quite a while. I also pay tribute to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I wish to be associated with the condolences extended to our colleague, Senator Currie, her mother, Annita, and the extended Currie family on the passing of Austin. I had the pleasure of working with him when he ran in the presidential campaign back in the 1980s. I knew him to be a thorough gentleman. He brought so much to the office of the Minister of State but also in terms of his work...

Seanad: Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2019: An Dara Céim - Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister is very welcome. Unfortunately, like the previous speaker, I had good Irish in the past but my ability to speak it has diminished due to a lack of use. There is a lesson in that for all of us. I compliment the Oireachtas on providing Irish language classes. I attended them in the past; I did not sign up to them for this term but I will in the future. I compliment the...

Seanad: Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People: Statements (9 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. A great deal has been said but, personally, in the first instance, I pay tribute to the Minister of State and thank her so much for her own personal interest in the whole area of disabilities. I know she visited St. Gabriel’s School and centre in Limerick recently. I was present and have been involved with that school for more than 25 years. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I rise today to thank the Leader for her intervention when I raised the issue of children under the age of 18 being discriminated against when playing competitive basketball. I welcome this morning's announcement by the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Chambers, that the Government has made an amendment whereby children will be allowed...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Antisocial Behaviour (3 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank the Minister of State for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I welcome, first of all, the increase in funding to do with Garda recruitment and Garda numbers in budget 2022 and acknowledge the work that the Minister of State and the Department have been doing in this regard. Listening to local radio and reading local newspapers,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Antisocial Behaviour (3 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. There is an issue with regard to safety cameras in that, I am told, residents associations do not have access to funding for them. Perhaps that could be looked at by the Minister. When cameras and extra lighting are provided in areas, it helps people to feel safe and also it helps the gardaí in their role. I pay tribute to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to speak about an issue that was brought to my attention yesterday. It is do with an eleven-year-olds and basketball. I have been led to believe that the decision was made by Basketball Ireland that children can go to their basketball training, but they cannot play a match because they are not vaccinated. We have not started vaccinating that age group. This 11-year-old and...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament (2 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: While my question is for Ms Fitzgerald, I welcome all of the MEPs to the House. I admire the work they do in representing Ireland in Europe. Ms Fitzgerald has been involved in work on gender-based crime and I ask her to elaborate on that. She has been involved in trying to make this an EU-wide crime, particularly in the context of sexual violence against females.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: I raise an issue that affects many of us around the country, namely ice rinks. In many towns and cities, ice rinks appear at Christmas. Many people visit them from schools and from families who get great joy. They usually last six to eight weeks. This year, they are finding it difficult to get the insurance. Normally their insurance comes through London where ice rinks are able to get...

Seanad: Finance (European Stability Mechanism and Single Resolution Fund) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Finance (European Stability Mechanism and Single Resolution Fund) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 2 November 2021.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: I rise to speak on two matters. The first relates to yesterday's announcements on reopening and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. I am concerned about healthcare workers and particularly people in nursing homes. I call for priority to be given to healthcare workers because they are dealing with more vulnerable people in nursing homes. They should receive boosters as a matter of...

Seanad: Sláintecare Implementation: Statements (19 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State. I thank her for being here for this all-important debate. I know of her passion for health. I thank her for her response to the Commencement matter I raised last week in respect of the shortage of neurology nurses, not only in University Hospital Limerick but also nationally. The Sláintecare programme has delivered 6,000 new staff, be they nurses or...

Seanad: Flood Risk Management: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: I am delighted the Minister of State is here. I thank my Green Party colleagues for tabling the motion. I know how committed the Minister of State is to his Department and the work he has been doing. Where I live, I am surrounded by the River Shannon and most of my electoral area is surrounded by the river. Last May, I read in the newspapers that the OPW in conjunction with Limerick City...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (14 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. I support the Neurological Alliance of Ireland with regard to the shortage of neurological nurses. I will speak specifically about University Hospital Limerick. The last time a neurological nursing post was advertised and filled was 2019 when a nurse was needed for multiple sclerosis. As we are aware, there are many neurological conditions. A report...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (14 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: That is perfect.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (14 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for her words on behalf of the Minister but also for her own words. I fully agree with her. While it is wonderful that two nursing posts are being advertised and filled, the Government should make this a priority. I thank her for saying she will take the issue back to the Department and put emphasis on it. If the positions were filled, fewer people would be...

Seanad: Finance (European Stability Mechanism and Single Resolution Fund) Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister is very welcome here today. I congratulate him on a very busy 48 hours. That is a very short time but I know the Minister put in a lot of work previously. Well done on the budget and best wishes for the future. We are here today looking at amendments to the Eurogroup agreements that were signed off on last November. These relate to the European Stability Mechanism and the...