Results 1,121-1,140 of 1,729 for speaker:Maria Byrne

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....

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: 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: Medical Cards (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. I was contacted by a number of people, mainly those aged over 75 and who have certain illnesses and are on medication, who are affected by the requirement to have a medical certificate in order to renew their driving licences, the cost of which is not covered under the medical card scheme. Many have to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Cards (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I know it is not her area of responsibility, but it is disappointing to hear the response from the Department of Health, on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. We are all aware that the cost of these certificates is not covered under the scheme. That is the whole point. To be given the facts of what the Act is about and what the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the news that the Garda Commissioner has included a Garda station for Castletroy in the capital programme for An Garda Síochána for 2025 to 2030. I raised this here in Commencement debates in 2018 and 2019. We were told then it was not warranted but it would be kept under review. The whole area of Castletroy, Lisnagry and Annacotty is one of the fastest growing areas in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Crime and Policing: Motion (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this all-important issue and I thank Fianna Fáil for bringing forward this Private Members' business. I welcome the fact that the budget for justice has increased by almost 20% since 2020. This is most welcome. Only this morning, I raised the fact with our own Leader that the Garda Commissioner had...

Seanad: Rights-Based Care Economy: Motion (27 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank Senator O'Reilly. As no other Senators are indicating, I would now like to call on the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (28 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank Senator Boyhan and call the Minister of State, Senator Hackett.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Policy (28 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon.

Seanad: Visit of Australian Delegation (28 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: Before I move on to the next Commencement matter I would like to welcome Members of the Australian Parliament to the Gallery, led by the ambassador, H.E. Gary Gray, namely, Mr. Julian Hill MP, Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP, deputy head of mission Mr. James Hazell, and political officer Mr. Dónal O'Néill. They are all very welcome to the Gallery today.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach (28 Sep 2023)

Maria Byrne: I am so delighted the Taoiseach is here today and I thank him for his address. There are two or three areas I would like to highlight. One is his commitment to Sláintecare. I know of his own personal interest in doing things better and doing things differently. University Hospital Limerick is an area he has taken a personal interest in himself in terms of seeing that happen. We need...

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

Maria Byrne: I apologise for not being here earlier as I was at another meeting, but I have read the opening statements. I have two or three questions I would like to put in general. We are all very aware of climate change and a lot of people are retrofitting or buying an electric car. What are the banks doing to address this whole issue? People are looking for low-interest loans because the costs...

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: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (3 Oct 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss this all-important topic. He is taking it on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. My question relates to people who are in receipt of disability allowance and who want to re-enter the workplace or go out volunteering. Not everybody ends up availing of the disability allowance for the same reason and one...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (3 Oct 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and for his positive response. I encourage people with disabilities to make a submission because it is very important. I also encourage people I know to do so. I have been working with people who have disabilities to make submissions. I am glad that the Minister of State, on behalf of the Department, acknowledges that much has been done and...

Seanad: Visit of Slovak Delegation (4 Oct 2023)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to welcome the news from the Road Safety Authority, RSA, regarding legislation on e-scooters. It was announced today that the minimum age requirement for e-scooter users will be 16 years of age. I welcome the announcement that they will have to have lights, wear helmets and the fact that they will not be able to use footpaths. It is most welcome news. The sooner this...