Results 761-780 of 1,664 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Vaping: Motion (16 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I move: That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - the restriction on smoking tobacco in the workplace ‘for the purposes of reducing the risk to and protecting the health of persons’ was brought into force in 2004 under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004; - the effect of this ban has been that people are not allowed to smoke in office blocks, aircraft,...

Seanad: Vaping: Motion (16 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I would like to share time with Senator Conway - three minutes and two minutes if that is all right.

Seanad: Vaping: Motion (16 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank colleagues across the House for their cross-party support on this matter. I thank the Minister of State for his positive response. I also thank the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. There are one or two things in the Minister of State's response that we are looking for. Maybe he could bring them back to the Minister for Health to consider when the legislation is being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I highlight that Linda Ledger of St. Munchin's Community Centre on the north side of Limerick received an "Inspirational Hero" award at the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards. Linda is involved in a remarkable amount of community work. She has an Ukrainian hub and provides meals on wheels. More than 300 people attend the community centre daily for lunch and events. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today to discuss this all important issue. My question is to ask him to make a statement regarding supports for tenants given notice to quit. This applies especially to those in long-term rental, and who have been there for four, five or six years. Many landlords have decided to leave the rental market as we are very aware. It is a huge issue....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. It is welcome that the HAP rate has been increased, especially for people in single occupancy because they were finding it really difficult to get a rental property at a rate they could afford.I welcome that. As the saying goes, "A lot done. More to do." I would like assurance from the Minister of State that it will be kept under...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I raise the issue of the withdrawal of Ulster Bank and KBC Bank from Ireland. I recently received a letter from them, not only as a customer but as a member of the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, that they are beginning to freeze accounts, starting this Friday. It is an alarming wake-up call to people who have not engaged with the bank to close their...

Seanad: Safe to Create Programme: Statements (9 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to speak about this informative programme today. I compliment her and her officials in the Department on all the work they have done in regard to it to date. No matter what walk of life we are in, respect and dignity in the workplace are something we all aspire to, but it is not always a given in every workplace. I welcome the creation of the website, which...

Seanad: Safe to Create Programme: Statements (9 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Safe to Create Programme: Statements (9 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I so propose.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I raise one of my favourite subjects which is University Hospital Limerick. Some 15,600 people have been waiting on trolleys so far this year. This is the highest number in the country followed by Cork University Hospital which has over 10,000 people on trolleys. I encourage the Minister for Health to come to the Chamber to have a debate on this issue.I want the Minister for Health to come...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House for this all-important issue. I compliment Senator Martin on introducing a very worthwhile Bill. I have had contact from beekeepers from Limerick, Tipperary and Murroe. I know some of the issues Senator Martin raised are of concern to beekeepers. I look forward to working with the Senator on the matter because I know a number of issues...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the representatives from Limerick and Waterford. I know them all. They are very welcome and I am delighted they are here to talk about the positive developments in both local authorities. On the right-sizing project in Limerick, the scheme outside Mungret Gate was successful. Are there many more such projects coming on stream? I know of people who would definitely avail of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: On derelict sites that have been designated as being for CPO, how many of those are houses that will come back into use? Do the officials have an idea of that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: The regeneration project has been ongoing for quite a while. I know Mr. Delaney is on the line. There are so many brownfield sites within the old regeneration areas. Are there any plans to build on some of those? While a lot of houses were taken out, there were not many to replace them. The plan was that some would be replaced. Communities would like to find out if there are any plans.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I am very aware from reports to do with Limerick City and County Council meetings that it recently repurposed a loan for refurbishment and retrofitting. Will the officials comment on that? On the long-term leasing scheme, are there many contracts the council has entered into or is looking at into the future?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I have one final question relating to the LDA. While no one from that body is present today, in negotiations and any conversation I have had with its members to date, they have said it will definitely be 2026 before we realistically see any of its first homes in Limerick. Have there been any negotiations or conversations with the LDA? Is there any hope of bringing that date of 2026 forward?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses again. I have a few questions, starting with the help-to-buy scheme. Have the local authorities had many applicants for the scheme? As was referred to already, some people find themselves slightly outside the limits. They fall between two stools, in that they also do not qualify for a mortgage. Is there any degree of flexibility to help people in that situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: That is grand. My next question concerns units for people with disabilities. There was a big push for sheltered accommodation at one stage, but there does not seem to be as much of this type of accommodation coming on stream. Are there schemes in place in either of the local authorities concerning the provision of sheltered accommodation, especially for older people?