Results 841-860 of 1,664 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the intervention, at long last, from the Minister for Health on University Hospital Limerick. I welcome the fact that he met senior officials in the HSE yesterday and that he has put together a crisis management unit that is to go to the hospital and work with senior people in the HSE and in the hospital. There also needs to be some independent people brought into this because it...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I was at the briefing we had this morning where we met representatives of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, CTTC. This issue has been raised already. The 20% discount in fares has created inequality. Senator Cummins mentioned the Expressway buses. The private transport operators now find themselves in competition with public transport in some areas. They are losing customers...

Seanad: Consumer Credit (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Now.

Seanad: Neurology Nurses: Motion (22 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I will be brief because we had a Commencement debate yesterday on issues concerning UHL. I compliment the Senators who tabled the motion. It is something I firmly believe in. I have had a number of Commencement debates on this subject over the past few years, especially on the shortage in UHL. While I acknowledge that two nurses were taken on in the past two years, there is still a...

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...

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: 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 (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: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the €12 million funding announced to third level students with autism. It will make colleges autism friendly through the use of apps. I understand that it is €3 million for this year. The three third level colleges in my own part of the country, University of Limerick, UL, Technological University of the Shannon and Mary Immaculate College, will receive more than...

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

Maria Byrne: I was listening to the debate upstairs because I had some work to do. It has been a fruitful debate and I compliment Senators Martin and Garvey on tabling this worthy legislation. I lend my support to it. Much of what I would like to say has been said and I am not in the habit of repeating comments, but the Bill has my full support and I am delighted that it has support from across the...

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

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

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I paid my own tribute to former Senator Jackman yesterday, but I am thinking of her husband, Nick, her daughter, Nicola, and her sister, Ursula, who are watching this morning. I pass on my sympathies again. I thank my colleagues and I am sure many more will be contributing further kind words regarding the passing of the late Mary Jackman. The CEO of Age Action...