Results 761-780 of 1,729 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I rise today in a celebratory mood. First, I congratulate Limerick's West End Youth Centre on taking first place in the Pride of Place awards a few days ago. The creativity aspect of its youth programme was acknowledged in granting it the overall award. Congratulations to West End Youth Centre. In addition, Limerick Youth Service is celebrating 50 years in operation this week. It was...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times and Hospital Admissions: Statements (Resumed) (26 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming in today to discuss this all-important issue. It will not be the first time he has heard from me regarding hospital waiting lists, and specifically those in UHL. I acknowledge the staff of the hospital and the patients and families who have gone there to access services. It is certainly a fine hospital. I also acknowledge that between 2020 and 2022, the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I follow on from Senator Dooley with regard to University Hospital Limerick, UHL. I was going to let my comments wait until tomorrow when we have the debate on hospitals in general. Some 11,000 people took to the streets of Limerick last week. We need the Minister to come here. We need a debate on the future of UHL. We need to ensure patients and staff are going to a safe environment. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach and also the Leader, Senator Chambers, for coming today. It would be inconsistent if I did not raise the march last Saturday in Limerick of more than 11,000 people, and the concerns around the hospital. We will have the opportunity to discuss that situation during statements later in the week. However, I want to raise the issue of 140 children in community...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges Facing Emergency Departments in Public Hospitals: HSE (17 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses for attending. Most of my questions will focus on UHL because I am from Limerick. When the major internal incident was declared on 3 January, newspaper headlines the following day included terms such as “inhumane”, “inappropriate” and, most strikingly, “national basket case”. It was terrible for the staff who obviously work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges Facing Emergency Departments in Public Hospitals: HSE (17 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: Mr. Mulvany referred to community. During Covid, we were a bit slow to bring pharmacists into it, although they were brought in eventually. We relied on GPs and clinics and whatever else. Should we make better use of our pharmacists? Nursing homes were referred to earlier. Many older people also like to attend primary care units and feel safe going there. Should we be looking at better...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges Facing Emergency Departments in Public Hospitals: HSE (17 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: To follow on from what happened in Mallow, it was a big help and alleviated some of the pressure. Are there plans to expand that service or that option? I know we cannot always use beds in Mallow. I know also that part of it is being transferred to Ennis but is it going to be looked at in the long term? If we take UHL, and we are talking about the winter crisis today, it is in crisis all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges Facing Emergency Departments in Public Hospitals: HSE (17 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I was asking if there are any plans to put a GP into the accident and emergency departments. I think that might help.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges Facing Emergency Departments in Public Hospitals: HSE (17 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges Facing Emergency Departments in Public Hospitals: HSE (17 Jan 2023)

Maria Byrne: I have one other question regarding older people. Has progress been made on work permits for carers from other countries? Is there any update on that? Many people are still waiting on more care hours or are waiting to be discharged from the hospital. They cannot go home because they have no one to look after them.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: Today is the Cathaoirleach's day and I congratulate him on it. I am delighted for him. I knew him long before he was elected to Cork City Council in 2004. We worked together as Fine Gael colleagues before that and we have been very good friends down through the years. I am delighted his family members are here today, including Conchobar, John and Mary, as well as his supporters and...

Seanad: Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome to discuss this all-important issue. Congratulations to him and his officials on all that was involved in coming to this day, from LAMA to the AILG, to various councillors and various organisations, such as Women for Election and the Fine Gael women's group, which contributed to this. Well done to all who are out there promoting women. I served on my...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: I wish Martin Groves, Bridget Doody and all the team in the Seanad Office, and all my colleagues in the Chamber, a very happy Christmas. I agree with Senator Murphy about the collegiality and the way we work together effectively for the betterment of others. I wish everyone a very happy Christmas. I also wish to be associated with the remarks in respect of Private Seán Rooney. I pass...

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

Maria Byrne: I would like to raise a number of issues. First, I would like to join with colleagues in complimenting our colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, on her work on and dedication to the issue of surrogacy over the past number of months. I congratulate her. It was a great day for an awful lot of families. The fact that there is now certainty and light at the end of the tunnel is a great...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming in to discuss this all-important issue. We are all concerned and extremely aware of dog welfare and animal welfare. I wish to follow up on some of the previous points made about control. Wardens are very scarce in some local authorities and, therefore, I am concerned as to whether there is full control. Do wardens follow up on licence to make sure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Report 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Service: Discussion (14 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome all of the participants, in particular, Mr. Kennelly and Mr. O’Brien, whom I know personally, together with Mr. Hourigan, who is sitting behind me. When I heard recently about this, it raised questions in my own mind. Deputy Farrell has asked some of the questions I would like to have asked. In respect of the Secretary General, has he ever communicated with our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Report 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Service: Discussion (14 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: Is there an example in any other public sector organisation of something similar having happened, or do the witnesses think they are the only ones who have ended up in this situation? Mr. O'Brien asked that we speak to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I have no problem doing that on a personal basis. I certainly will put a question to him on the matter in the future. Is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Report 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Service: Discussion (14 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: Have the unions given any up-to-date advice to the witnesses? Has there been any communication from them and have they attempted any action recently on the witnesses' behalf?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Report 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Service: Discussion (14 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: I second Deputy Durkan's suggestion.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (13 Dec 2022)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber. More than 100 children and young adults have been waiting for more than a year for mental health appointments in Limerick and the mid-west, and this is not good enough. I am aware there are many problems recruiting consultant child psychiatrists. While some have been recruited in recent times, there are six teams and they are in the process...