Results 41-60 of 2,009 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I will interrupt the Senator for one minute to acknowledge our visitors in the Gallery from the Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club in east Belfast. They are visiting Leinster House today and meeting members of the Good Friday Agreement committee. I hope they enjoy their visit.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I apologise to Senator McDowell for interrupting him.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Would the Minister like to respond?

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: We have five minutes.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to welcome the budget yesterday. I have two or three things to say. First, €50 million is being provided for tillage farmers. This is a huge issue. I received my nomination for the agriculture panel from the Irish Grain and Feed Association. I know the significant impact that this €50 million will have for these farmers. There is also investment in...

Seanad: Budget 2026 (Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation): Statements (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State and I also welcome the budget announced yesterday. There was €5.2 billion for housing and 25,000 new homes. The €130 million for the housing adaption grant and €140 million for retrofitting of social housing are really welcome. On the expansion of the living cities initiative, it is something we have had in Limerick for some years and it...

Seanad: Budget 2026 (Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation): Statements (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome to the Public Gallery: Marcos Perez Espinilla and Lourdes Fernandez Velasco, who are the guests of Alan Guidon; and Giacomo Amari and Noemi Quarenghi, who are the guests of Senator Martin Conway. They are all very welcome. I hope I got the pronunciation right. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I call the Minister of State,...

Seanad: Budget 2026 (Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation): Statements (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I thank all Senators who contributed today.

Seanad: Supports and Services for Patients with Head and Neck Cancers: Motion (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming today to discuss this all-important motion. I compliment Senator Craughwell and the Independent Senators, but also Senator Craughwell's daughter, Rebecca, whom I welcome, and the consultants and staff from the Dublin Dental University Hospital. It shows how concerned they are about it that there are so many people here today. On behalf of the Fine...

Seanad: Supports and Services for Patients with Head and Neck Cancers: Motion (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I apologise that I was a bit late. I was at another meeting before this, but I have read the NDA's opening statement. The NDA referred to the two pilot schemes that are going on. How should that be embraced? What resources will be needed to replicate that around the country? Senator Murphy O'Mahony raised IT and how it is changing. I see with young people that no matter what age they...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Yes.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Permanent.

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I thank Dr. Hartney. My next question - and I have seen it myself - relates to some schools where, while they do not outrightly say they do not take in children with disabilities, there certainly can be barriers. How can we overcome that? Have the witnesses come across that? Some children might be sick on a regular basis or whatever and cannot attend or supports have been put in place to...

Committee on Disability Matters: Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Dr. Tamming has answered the question. That is great. I thank her.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Ambulance Service: Discussion (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I apologise that I was not here for the opening statement but I read it and the report. I thank the witnesses for being here today. One thing that has come up clear to me from the conversation here is the shortage of paramedics throughout the country. I know that the National Ambulance Service is educating and expanding the numbers but perhaps the witnesses will comment about the risk to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Ambulance Service: Discussion (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: It was on the shortage of paramedics, the NAS investing in recruitment and education, and patient safety.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Ambulance Service: Discussion (8 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I should have started by thanking all the paramedics out there. They do a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances. They often have to visit horrific scenes. With regard to the well-being and support that is there for paramedics, is there a well-being and support programme in place? Those people need the same supports as they give to the people who are on the road. There is also...