Results 801-820 of 1,729 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: At noon on Tuesday, 14 June 2022.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Withdrawal from Irish Banking Market (Resumed): Engagement with Financial Services Union and Electric Ireland (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the delegation for the presentation. When we had representatives from the banks before us I was talking about how some older people find direct debits very hard to set up or in switching accounts. There is a unique mandate reference with a direct debit so would that make communication easier for some people when they go to the other bank?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Withdrawal from Irish Banking Market (Resumed): Engagement with Financial Services Union and Electric Ireland (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: It is a unique reference number when payment is made to a company like Electric Ireland from my bank account. It links the debit to the bank.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Withdrawal from Irish Banking Market (Resumed): Engagement with Financial Services Union and Electric Ireland (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: Deputy Doherty referred to the €200 credit that customers are getting. If people have not received their €200 by now and are changing accounts, will it be difficult for Electric Ireland to supply that credit or should it be okay?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Withdrawal from Irish Banking Market (Resumed): Engagement with Financial Services Union and Electric Ireland (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: That is great. I thank Ms Sayers. All the other questions I had have been responded to already so there is no point in asking them again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Withdrawal from Irish Banking Market (Resumed): Engagement with Financial Services Union and Electric Ireland (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: A number of companies such as Ward Solutions approached some of the larger companies like Electric Ireland to see if people's direct debits could be transferred between banks and organisations like Electric Ireland. Would the company be interested in participating in a joint transfer with other companies if the banks were in a position to do that? Has the company had any discussions around...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I, too, wish to be associated with the votes of sympathy to former Councillor Noel Collins. He certainly was a gentleman. I know he will be missed by many and especially the people he represented over a long period. May he rest in peace. I rise today because 700 is a number that is lucky for some in County Limerick and not lucky for others. More than 700 people were accepted into the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I met recently with representatives from Young Carers Ireland. This is an issue that certainly impedes them. They are on social welfare and alongside their carer's payment, they are allowed to work 18.5 hours per week and study part-time. They are not entitled to the SUSI grant on the other side, however....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minster so much for his commitment. Since he came to the Department, it is an area he has a keen interest in. I thank him and his staff for the work they are doing in this area. I welcome the fact he is going to reform it. Returning to the situation with young carers, it is unfortunate. I am aware they will be able to increase their amount money or that the Minister will be...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I am sharing time with Senator Conway. I welcome the Tánaiste and thank him for all the work he has done in his brief, including the introduction of a new public holiday, provision for remote working, legislation on the treatment of tips and gratuities, supports for workers during the Covid lay-off period and now the introduction of statutory sick pay. I am a former member of the...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I know his commitment and dedication to the whole issue of insurance. I agree with all that Senator Casey has said. While some people will shop around, others do not. I am chairperson of a community centre in Limerick. Our insurance went up by more than €10,000 this year. We are a not-for-profit organisation in the voluntary...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I move: That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges: - Ireland, and the entire world, is facing a cost-of-living crisis driven by inflation, which is largely being caused by international factors beyond our control; - the cost of living in Ireland is high by international standards but wages are also amongst the highest in the EU, with median gross hourly earnings one-third above the EU...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: We have had a very fruitful and frank discussion. I welcome the Minister's commitment and that of the Government in respect of the motion. Many things have been outlined, including in respect of the cost of childcare and of fuel. It is the squeezed middle, as well as lower paid workers, that is affected. That is the kernel of the debate. There has been overwhelming support for the motion...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to raise two issues. They are two good news stories. One is the fact that the first women's shed is going to hold its meeting in Limerick tonight. It is based in the Dooradoyle-Raheen area. I would like to wish the committee of Emma, Jackie, Mary, Margaurette, Jackie, Sinead and Eimear all the very best. It started out as a women's walking group and its main aim is physical,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (21 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming back to the Chamber to discuss this all-important issue. I would like him to make a statement regarding the recent HIQA report on University Hospital Limerick. It is a damaging, concerning, disappointing and shocking report. I have been raising the issue of UHL in this House, as well as with the Minister for Health, for a long time. I raise issues...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (21 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. While I acknowledge there has been significant investment and expansion of services, it is not enough. This report has made that clear. I am disappointed that the Department has not acknowledged that services need to be expanded further. I acknowledge the Department is awaiting the expert report but it is not right that the people of the mid-west are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome that a 150-bed private hospital to be owned by the Bon Secours Health System, BSHS, was announced for Limerick yesterday. This is a private hospital, but in the context of the Commencement matter I raised earlier today regarding University Hospital Limerick, UHL, once it is up and running it will complement the already-existing smaller BSHS-owned hospital, which was formerly...